WNBA ALL-STAR GAME

July 15, 2023

Nneka Ogwumike

Kelsey Plum

Postgame Media Conference

Q. Nneka, how did you enjoy this experience?

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: I loved it. I really loved my team too. I think we did a good job of understanding that this is all about having fun, celebrating All-Stars and celebrating the fans that make us feel like All-Stars day in and day out. Of course, having another All-Star hosted in Vegas is always good too.

Q. Kelsey, I'm looking at the stat sheet and I noticed a number that looked very familiar, the number 30, number of points that you had, once again, after -- especially after winning -- going for 30 last year and winning MVP. How ironic does that feel?

KELSEY PLUM: Well, it's funny because -- so before the game, Under Armour told me for every bucket I scored they would donate a thousand dollars to Child Haven in Las Vegas. That supports kids who are basically removed from their homes for a lot of different reasons, safety reasons. And then Google said that they would donate a thousand dollars for every assist to Child Haven. So I was gunning. I was. I think people were like, Oh, man, I kind of looked like an (expletive) out there playing super hard, but I don't care. I'm doing this for charity. Seventeen shots in 21 minutes is wild.

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: That's what makes you you. Like, you don't know any other gear.

Q. Kelsey, to that point with the 30 points, obviously Jewell broke the record. Thirty-one sets the new record. Does that give you motivation for next year? And then also, Las Vegas is the host city. How do you feel the city did, the fans and everything this weekend?

KELSEY PLUM: Y'all are crazy, with the expectations of coming into next year. You know how hard it is to be an All-Star. A lot of things have to go right. You have to stay healthy, your team has to win, you have to be voted by your peers. There's a lot of everything. So I'm just going to enjoy this moment right now.

But as for Las Vegas, I'm super proud, man. Super proud to be part of an organization that really put on a tremendous weekend. I mean, I don't know what you guys think, but as a player, a player experience, I don't know, Nneka, how you feel, but I felt like just very loved, very welcomed. I think the entirety of the league -- it's so cool to be here on your home court, probably home bias with the fans. Obviously it didn't matter in the game, because we got smacked. But we had a great time. And, again, I just can't say how proud I am to be a part of the Aces.

Q. Nneka, I know you're pretty close with BG. Just what was it like to be out there and to see all the support she got tonight and the three dunks she had and some of the defensive plays she made?

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: I mean, it's always wonderful to have BG on court. I think anyone can say that they agree with that. Of course, BG, one thing about her is that she is always going to do her. She brings the love, she brings the excitement and she just knows how to make everyone feel special. That's something that we wanted to do for her. I very much rather play with her than against her. But I'm very happy. I hope she had a really good All-Star as well.

Q. Kelsey, everyone wants to know what do you think of the trophy this year, and do you feel like you got the short end of the stick last year, considering they finally got that upgrade?

KELSEY PLUM: First of all, I'm really happy for Jewell, so shout-out to Jewell for MVP. They did, they upgraded. Whoever is in charge either got fired or was very scared of getting fired. No, I mean, listen, to be honest, the whole incident with the trophy caused a stir. So I didn't mind it. I didn't. But it was cool. It was cool to see. The trophy was very heavy.

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: It was bigger.

KELSEY PLUM: It was a lot bigger. A lot bigger than my little teacup. But, no, again just super happy for Jewell, and I thought they did a great job this year.

Q. Which was the most enjoyable moment of this weekend?

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: I think playing with BG. That's definitely the most enjoyable moment for me. Maybe her blocking you? (Laughing.)

KELSEY PLUM: Getting blocked by BG. There you go. (Laughing.)

Q. Nneka, how much have you enjoyed always playing in WNBA All-Star Games throughout your WNBA career?

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: I love it. I really do. And what I love most about it is witnessing and sharing the experience with first-time All-Stars. I think that's always the best. We had a lot of first-time All-Stars this time around. I think you might have had more than us. Right?

KELSEY PLUM: I think we had four.

NNEKA OGWUMIKE: You had four? Yeah. Yeah. But I love sharing in that moment with people who are valued in that way and celebrated in that way. Whether it's through y'all in the media, through the fans and of course our peers. It just shows the evolution of the game, and it shows the celebration of women's basketball. Most especially those advocates that, a lot of them sitting courtside tonight, it just, it really makes me happy to see the direction that this league is going.