Women’s basketball has reached unprecedented heights, thanks to standout talents like Caitlin Clark and Angel leading the sport’s growth. However, Kelsey Plum remains a central figure whose influence extends far beyond her achievements on the court. As one of the brightest stars in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/wnba/”>WNBA, Plum has taken significant steps to ensure the sport continues to develop by investing in the next generation of players.
Finishing her collegiate career in 2017, Plum was ahead of her time. During her time at the University of Washington, she set a historic NCAA record for the most points scored in women’s college basketball—a benchmark later surpassed by Caitlin Clark. Her remarkable talent has translated into a successful professional career with the Los Angeles Sparks.
Launching the Dawg Class: A Mentor Program for Aspiring Pros
In 2023, Kelsey Plum launched the Dawg Class, a distinctive basketball camp aimed at college athletes who aspire to compete professionally. Recognizing a gap in player development and support, she created this rigorous program to challenge young athletes and prepare them mentally and physically for the demands of pro basketball. The camp reflects Plum’s broader vision of nurturing talent and providing essential guidance.
The initiative was not born out of obligation but rather passion. Plum explained her motivation in an interview with Justin Russo:
Dawg Class is something that I started because I didn’t have that when I was coming from college to pro,
and
[It’s] bigger than basketball. It’s just an opportunity to have a mentor or someone that you can call and say, ‘Hey, I’m going through this, do you have any wisdom? I’m going through this. What do you think I should do?’
Building Lifelong Relationships Through Mentorship
Though the camp lasts only a weekend, it fosters meaningful, lasting connections between the attending athletes and their mentors. The program has drawn support from prominent brands such as Under Armour, which helps amplify its reach and impact. The growing list of accomplished camp alumni underscores the effectiveness of the Dawg Class as a developmental platform.
Notable attendees include Hailey Van Lith, Nika Muhl, Azzi Fudd, Georgia Amoore, and MiLaysia Fulwiley. For Plum, inviting these players goes beyond a professional gesture—it is a personal endorsement. She conveys this sentiment clearly:
When I invite girls to Dawg Class, it’s really just showing love. I think you’re a baller. I believe in what you’re capable of,
Plum said.
Addressing the Need for Youth Development in Women’s Basketball
Currently, the camp is designed for college-level players rather than younger youth, but Plum hopes the program will serve as a stepping stone toward earlier engagement. She pointed out the disparity in developmental infrastructure between women’s basketball and men’s sports like the NBA and NFL, saying:
That’s something in our game, I think we can continue to grow because the NBA, the NFL, there’s so much infrastructure for these young men to come up into programs, and we don’t have that. Just trying to be able to bridge that gap is really important to me,
showcasing her commitment to expanding opportunities for young female athletes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Dawg Class and WNBA Talent Development
Currently active in the 2025 WNBA season with the Los Angeles Sparks, Plum has yet to begin preparations for the next edition of the camp. Her ongoing playing career may delay details about future participants, but anticipation remains high regarding which promising talents will be invited. The Dawg Class represents a vital development in women’s basketball by providing mentorship and guidance that complements the sport’s rising popularity and growing support systems.