Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum gave Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and the rest of the 2024 rookie class a harsh reality check about the WNBA. However, she also made sure to send some encouraging words for the young guns as they navigate life in the pro scene.

Ahead of Clark and Reese’s third battle for the 2024 season, ESPN asked former no. 1 picks over the years about their rookie experience and what advice they can give to the current rookie class.

Plum, who was the no. 1 pick by the then San Antonio Stars (now Aces) in 2017, didn’t hold back her thoughts and shared how difficult it is to play in the WNBA. The now-seven year vet admitted that it’s something that she only learned when she got to the league, noting that she even had doubts if she’s really built for the pros.

However, Plum emphasized that it gets better, though it will surely require patience and hard work from the rookies.

Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) recovers the basketball in the fourth quarter against the New York Liberty during game three of the 2023 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports© Provided by Athlon Sports

“It felt like quicksand, almost. Like, when is there going to be light at the end of the tunnel? I remember thinking, ‘Maybe I’m not cut out for this.’ I wish someone would have come and given me a big hug. That’s just what I needed: empowerment, encouragement, love,” Plum said on her rookie experience and what advice she could give to the current batch of newcomers in the WNBA.

“Coming from college to the pros, and people don’t know how good the WNBA is. Heck, I didn’t know how good the WNBA is then. It felt like barely being able to catch your breath, and then before you even got a chance, you were going back under water. But I would not be the player I am now — the way I play, how tenacious I am, my motor — without that. It kind of made me who I am.”

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and the 2024 class can certainly learn something from Kelsey Plum’s experience. It’s normal for them to doubt themselves, but at the end of the day, they can’t give up and just stop.

As the Aces superstar said, the experience will only help them grow to become tenacious players.

Hopefully, teams and other WNBA vets also learn from Plum’s message. The rookies sometimes just need “empowerment, encouragement and love,” so the vets will have to step up as well and ensure they guide the young ones to reach their full potential.

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