Kelsey Plum ends busy WNBA offseason with her own Maker’s Mark bourbon

Mitchell Northam, USA TODAYWed, April 29, 2026 at 12:59 PM UTC

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As one of the WNBA’s most recognizable stars, Kelsey Plum is often sought out by major companies for endorsement deals and other partnerships.

The Los Angeles Sparks’ point guard is picky about which brands she attaches her name to, but when the iconic bourbon distillery Maker’s Mark came calling, it was a no-brainer.

“Maker's Mark is obviously a classic brand, but when you look deeper in the surface and you see who they are and what they stand for — for me, going out to Louisville was very important to be able to learn about the history, learn about the ownership, walk through the facilities and meet the employees,” Plum told USA TODAY Sports. “Having a connection with them is, to me, super important. And obviously, loving the product — you know, I actually drink Maker's Mark.

“But in general, for me, it's just about being intentional with aligned values.”

On May 7 at select retailers, Maker’s Mark will debut “Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum,” which was crafted through its Private Selection program where the four-time WNBA All-Star was able to customize the finishing process of the bourbon at Star Hill Farm in Kentucky.

What Plum and the folks at Maker’s Mark came up with is a bourbon bottled at 55.65% ABV (111.3 proof) that mixes spicy and sweet. It opens with aromas of chili spice, citrus, toasted oak, white pepper and cherry, then on the palate evolves into a flavor with strong notes of sweet potato pie — hence the name.

“I wanted to do something that's more of a barbecue or holiday vibe, you know, like with the family. I love sweet potatoes, so it's kind of like a vanilla, spicy almond note,” Plum said. “Who doesn't love the sweet potato?”

Perhaps most importantly to Plum though, a portion of the sales from Yam Jam will benefit the Los Angeles Fire Department. Plum’s brother Daniel is a firefighter for the Oceanside Fire Department in California and it’s a profession she feels a strong connection to. Plum said that some firefighters also work out in the training facility that the Sparks use.

“Being in the city of Los Angeles and playing for the Sparks, that's something that hits close to home. You know, growing up in California, we've always been affected by fires — and not just the actual fire, but what happens after with the men and women who are there everyday,” Plum said. “I just wanted to figure out how to honor them and give back the way that they give to us.”

Four-time WNBA All-Star Kelsey Plum has partnered with Maker's Mark to release "Yam Jam" through its Private Selection program. The bourbon from the LA Sparks point guard will be available on May 7.

Partnering with Maker’s Mark and developing her own bourbon caps off a busy offseason for Plum.

A year ago, Plum was involved in a three-team trade that sent her from the Las Vegas Aces to the Sparks where she had one of the best statistical seasons of her career. Plum averaged 19.5 points and 5.7 assists per game, ranking fourth in the WNBA in scoring and sixth in passing. She was also eighth in offensive win shares (4.6), fifth in 3-pointers made per game (2.3) and third in free throws made per game (5.1).

Like many of the stars in the WNBA, Plum was a free agent this offseason at the age of 31, putting herself in position to capitalize on what turned out to be a groundbreaking new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players. Plum was deeply involved in the negotiations as the First Vice President of the WNBPA Executive Committee.

“It was a long process, but well worth it, and I’m just super proud of the end result. It's really transformational,” Plum said. “Obviously, the salaries and the benefits, but also how it's affected the women in our league and the future of our league. I’m just really proud to be with a group of women that stepped up to the plate and got it where we wanted it to be. It’s been a very eye-opening process.”

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Once the ink was dry on the new CBA, Plum — and many other players — cashed in. She signed the largest contract of her career, re-joining the Sparks on a one-year deal worth $999,999. Plum likely could’ve landed a $1.4 million supermax deal elsewhere, but remained with the Sparks at a discounted rate to allow the franchise to bring in other players.

And the Sparks did just that, adding Erica Wheeler, re-signing Dearica Hamby, bringing back former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike, and trading for five-time All-Defense selection Ariel Atkins.

“I’m super excited, just bringing in people that are about winning and have won wherever they've gone and are great people in the locker room, great teammates. And I just think we have an unbelievable group,” Plum said. “Obviously, the past couple years, we've struggled. But I think we're in a different place now and we're really going to surprise people.”

Another newcomer to the Sparks this year is Ta’Niya Latson, who was drafted 20th overall in the second round out of South Carolina. Since Latson participated in Plum’s Dawg Class — an invite-only training camp for elite college guards — in 2024, Plum watched from afar how Latson developed in college, from leading the nation in scoring at Florida State to being a key cog on a Final Four team with Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks.

Like many observers of the WNBA Draft this year, Plum was surprised that Latson was still available when the Sparks picked at No. 20.

“When you get an opportunity to get a player like that, you just got to grab it. Lucky for us,” Plum said. “I'm so excited. (Latson is) a phenomenal basketball player. She's made a transformational jump, and I think going to South Carolina, it showed a lot of her maturity and understanding of how she wanted to grow as a player. And she certainly has. Defensively, she's I think as far along as I've seen a rookie be in her first year. I think for us, she's going to be super impactful.”

Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks looks on during the second half of a pre-season game against the Nigerian National Women's Team at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on April 25, 2026 in San Diego, California.

Plum balanced her duties at the CBA negotiating table with playing in Unrivaled, where she made the league’s First Team after averaging 22.6 points per game. Maker’s Mark collaboration with Plum builds on the brand’s broader investment in women’s basketball, as the bourbon marker inked a multi-year partnership with Unrivaled that began this past season. It’s Maker’s Mark’s first sports league sponsorship.

The two-time WNBA champion’s foray into bourbon pairs nicely with another one of her other offcourt ventures: cigars. Plum has her own signature smoke through the brand Kingmakers.

She said she hasn’t had the chance to try Yam Jam with her cigar yet. It’s a combination that will likely taste much better for Plum this season if the Sparks are winners though.

“Cigars, bourbon… There's certain life pleasures that are great combinations, and those are one of them,” Plum said.

For the two-time Olympic gold medalist and former National Player of the Year in college at Washington, just one uncertainty remains for this upcoming WNBA season, and that’s what shoes Plum will be wearing. She confirmed that her deal with Under Armour is over, but wouldn’t reveal what apparel she’ll be rocking with next.

“You're just gonna have to stay tuned,” Plum said with a laugh. “I’m not really someone that kisses and tells right away, so we'll see.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kelsey Plum ends busy WNBA offseason with her own Maker’s Mark bourbon

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