In a historic move, the University of Washington announced on Friday that it will retire Kelsey Plum’s No. 10 jersey, making her the first player in the history of its women’s basketball program to receive such an honor. The retirement ceremony is set to take place on January 18, during a game against Purdue at the Alaska Airlines Arena in Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Plum, who currently stars for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA, expressed deep gratitude for the honor, underscoring her enduring connection to the University of Washington, also known as UW.

“I’m forever proud to be a Husky, and UW is a special place that fundamentally shaped me both as a basketball player and as a person,” Plum said in a statement. “It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends, and alumni.”

Plum’s legacy at UW is substantial. Playing for the Huskies from 2013 to 2017, she rewrote the record books and transformed the program’s reputation on the national stage. During her time in Seattle, Plum became the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history, setting a new standard with 3,527 career points. Though this record was recently surpassed by Iowa’s Caitlin Clark earlier this year, Plum’s career total remains legendary. Additionally, her single-season scoring record of 1,109 points, achieved during her senior year, stood until Clark also broke that record in 2024. However, Plum’s mark of 912 career free throws still holds firm as the women’s record, demonstrating her prowess and skill in drawing fouls and converting from the line.

Following her remarkable college career, Plum was the top pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, selected by the San Antonio Stars. The franchise relocated to Las Vegas the following year, rebranding as the Aces, where Plum has played since. Over her seven seasons in the WNBA, she has showcased her versatility and resilience, especially after missing the 2020 season due to an Achilles injury. At 30, Plum’s career stats reflect her impact on the game, with averages of 14.3 points and 4.0 assists across 235 career games, 193 of which she started. Her skills and work ethic earned her recognition as the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year in 2021, followed by a spot on the All-WNBA First Team the following season. Plum has also made three consecutive All-Star appearances, cementing her place among the league’s elite players.

Plum’s success extends to her team accomplishments with the Aces, who claimed back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. Although they fell to the New York Liberty in the 2024 semifinals, Plum’s leadership and performance on the court remain instrumental to the Aces’ status as a dominant force in the league.

The upcoming jersey retirement ceremony is a fitting tribute to a player who has given so much to the University of Washington and the game of basketball. With her No. 10 soon to hang from the rafters at Alaska Airlines Arena, Plum’s impact will continue to inspire future generations of Huskies. Her journey from collegiate stardom to professional success epitomizes the spirit of UW athletics, and on January 18, fans and alumni will come together to celebrate the legacy of a player who has left an indelible mark on the program and beyond.