Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reveals Wild Behind-the-Scenes Story of Viral Moment
Last month, Los Angeles Sparks' star guard Kelsey Plum took to Instagram to reveal a unique gift delivered to rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker, collaborated on and facilitated by New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu.
Both were No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA Draft following stellar college careers and remain close friends.
Read more: Sparks' Kelsey Plum Shocked After Wild Exchange With Paige Bueckers
When Barker was seen sporting an old pair of Ionescu's Nike shoes during training camp, Plum didn't hesitate.
When Sparks’ rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker was seen sporting an old pair of Sabrina Ionescu's Nike shoes, Kelsey Plum didn't hesitate to reach out.
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) May 29, 2025
"Yo, help my teammate," Plum asked Ionescu.
Plum's only request: "Just don't send any Oregon colorways."https://t.co/7ND2bZanZF
"We gotta get you some new shoes," Plum recalled telling the rookie in a recent Instagram video.
The two-time WNBA champion then reached out to Ionescu, asking for assistance in helping to provide Barker with a new pair of her favorite shoes.
Read more: Sparks' Cameron Brink Challenges Controversial WNBA Rule
Ionescu delivered on the heartfelt gesture — converting on Barker's surprise gift by going above and beyond to send five-plus pairs of unique shoe colorways.
"This is why the W is the best," Plum said in the original video message.
Kelsey Plum on the viral shoe moment with her rookie. That flamingo comment though 😂
— Jordan Robinson (@HeyJordanR) June 10, 2025
Listen to our full conversation on the latest episode of my women’s sports radio show, She’s Got Next. https://t.co/aB7o0Q5s3G pic.twitter.com/6RXcYxaITI
Plum further spoke on the behind-the-scenes details leading up to the viral moment on a recent episode of Jordan Robinson's "She's Got Next" women's sports radio show, per a June 10 post.
"[Barker's shoes] are old and they used to be pink, but they look like a flamingo that lost their pink," she said, laughing. "I guess she had ordered [new] shoes, but it got lost in the mail.
"[Ionescu] was awesome," Plum continued. "She came through with the best colorways ... and she was like, 'Hey, I really like [Barker]' ... she's a Sarah Ashlee Barker fan, so it was cool to see her respond in just great fashion."
Sarah Ashlee Barker with another timely basket to close the third quarter — followed by an and-one layup by Dearica Hamby.
— Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) June 10, 2025
Sparks and Valkyries tied at 65 apiece after 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/w1HUJPLdZ3
Barker continues to impress throughout the early stages of her WNBA career — averaging 4.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in just under 20 minutes per game through the Sparks' first 11 contests this season.
More Sparks news:
A'ja Wilson Speaks Out on Losing Kelsey Plum to Sparks
Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reacts to Georgia Amoore's ACL Injury
International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA
Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season
Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL
For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.
Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.
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