Nneka Ogwumike is a professional basketball player from the United States, currently playing for the Seattle Storm in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2012 WNBA draft. Over her 12-season tenure with the Sparks, Ogwumike achieved significant accolades, including being named the WNBA MVP for the 2016 season and winning the WNBA Finals that same year. In 2021, she was recognized as one of the top 25 players in the league’s history by being included in The W25.

Born on July 2, 1990, in Tomball, Texas, Nneka Ogwumike began her basketball journey at a young age, demonstrating exceptional talent and skill. She earned the title of WBCA All-American and participated in the 2008 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored 17 points, secured 6 rebounds, and was honored as the MVP for the White team.

Nneka Ogwumike selected Stanford for her college basketball career. She was part of the USA Under-18 squad that clinched the gold medal in Argentina from July 23 to July 27, 2008. In the final match of the Under-18 FIBA Americas, she scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Ogwumike was instrumental in guiding Team USA to a perfect 5–0 record, ranking first in both scoring and rebounding. She was awarded the title of Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her performance in Argentina.

Nneka Ogwumike departed Stanford as the second all-time leading scorer in the history of the women’s basketball program.

In the 2012 WNBA draft, Nneka Ogwumike was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the overall No. 1 pick, making her the second player from Cypress-Fairbanks High School to achieve this honor after Lindsey Harding in 2007.

Nneka Ogwumike’s exceptional performance in her rookie season led to her being named WNBA Rookie of the Month four out of five times, ultimately earning her the title of 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year. This marked the fifth consecutive year that the award was won by the first overall draft pick.

In the 2014 season, Nneka Ogwumike demonstrated her skill by averaging 15.8 points per game and was honored with her second selection to the WNBA All-Star team.

In 2016, Nneka Ogwumike extended her contract with the Sparks after her rookie deal came to an end. Throughout the season, she was honored as the AP WNBA Player of the Year, ranking third in both scoring and rebounding, and leading the league in field goal percentage. Her outstanding performance that year also secured her the 2016 WNBA Most Valuable Player Award. Additionally, Nneka set a WNBA record by making 23 consecutive field goals over three games.

On June 30, 2016, Nneka Ogwumike achieved something remarkable. She scored a personal best of 38 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, leading her team to an 84–75 victory over the Atlanta Dream. That season, she also broke the record for the highest true shooting percentage, hitting an impressive 73.7%, which made her the most efficient shooter in professional basketball history. The Los Angeles Sparks proved to be strong contenders for the championship with a solid record of 26–8. Nneka’s achievements didn’t stop there; she became the seventh player in WNBA history to earn both the regular season MVP award and a championship title in the same year.

Nneka Ogwumike extended her contract with the Sparks in 2017. That season, she earned a spot in the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, marking her fourth time as an all-star. As 2018 began, she shined with a season-high of 25 points in a strong 87–70 win against the Indiana Fever. Later that season, Nneka was once again selected for the All-Star Game, but she had to miss it due to fatigue, which kept her out for over a week in mid-July. She made a strong comeback against the Minnesota Lynx, scoring 15 points in a 79–57 victory.

On July 4, 2019, Nneka Ogwumike delivered an electrifying performance, scoring a season-high 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, leading her team to a commanding 98–81 victory over the Washington Mystics. That year, her exceptional skills earned her a place in the 2019 WNBA All-Star Game for the sixth time, a testament to her consistency and brilliance on the court.

The Los Angeles Sparks wrapped up their season strong, securing the No. 3 seed with a solid 22–12 record. This stellar finish granted them a bye straight into the second round of the playoffs. There, they showcased their dominance with an impressive 92–69 win over the defending champions, the Seattle Storm, in the elimination round.

However, their journey came to an end in the semi-finals as they faced the Connecticut Sun, who defeated the Sparks in a three-game sweep. Despite the setback, Ogwumike’s tenacity and leadership throughout the season left an unforgettable mark on fans and the league alike.

In 2020, the season was postponed and condensed to just 22 games, held within a controlled bubble at IMG Academy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nneka Ogwumike participated in 18 of those games, missing four due to a back injury. The Los Angeles Sparks wrapped up the season with an impressive 15–7 record, securing the number three seed and earning a bye to the second round. However, their journey ended in disappointment as they were eliminated by the Connecticut Sun in a single-elimination game. Heartbreakingly, Nneka Ogwumike was unable to play in that pivotal game due to illness.

In January 2021, Nneka Ogwumike committed to a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Sparks. Celebrated as one of the WNBA’s greatest, she earned a spot on The W25, recognizing the top 25 players in the league’s history. Her outstanding character and professionalism shone brightly, earning her the WNBA’s Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award for an incredible third year in a row by season’s end.

Fast forward to February 5, 2024, and Nneka takes a bold step forward in her career by signing a one-year contract with the Seattle Storm.

Nneka Ogwumike photos