Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike announced her retirement following this season. The news marks the end of one of the most celebrated careers in WNBA history.
The 36-year-old, an eight-time All-WNBA forward, returns to the Sparks this season after playing two years with Seattle. Ogwumike shared her decision in an interview on Boardroom Talks. “I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level,” she said. Ogwumike expressed surprise at the length of her career, saying, “I never thought that I would play this long.”
Ogwumike, the top pick in the 2012 draft from Stanford, earned Rookie of the Year honors that year while playing for Los Angeles. In 2016, she was named league MVP when she helped the Sparks win the WNBA championship.
Former teammate Alana Beard praised Ogwumike, noting her strength, purpose, and grace. “For 15 seasons, we’ve watched her give everything to this game,” Beard said. This year, Ogwumike made the All-Star Game for the 11th time and averages nearly 17 points per game.
“It is a little bit my body: I still feel very good,” Ogwumike said. “But I also feel the comfort of slowing down a little bit. I feel content with where I’ve left my career.”
Ogwumike also shared her pride in her contributions to women’s basketball. As the president of the players’ union, she played a key role in negotiating a significant collective bargaining agreement. Terri Carmichael Jackson, the WNBPA executive director, commended Ogwumike’s leadership, saying, “She has served this union with a level of commitment, courage, integrity and purpose that is truly unparalleled.” Jackson noted Ogwumike’s ability to use her leadership position to advance the game for current and future players.
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