Los Angeles Sparks Official Release

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks announced today the re-signing of 2016 MVP and WNBA champion Nneka Ogwumike. For her career, she’s averaged 16.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 55.2% from the field, 36.4% on 3-pointers and 83.6% from the line. In nine seasons, Ogwumike has appeared and started in 267 regular season games and 35 playoff games. The Sparks have made the postseason every year Ogwumike has been with the organization.

“Los Angeles has been my professional home for the last decade and I’m excited to continue my journey as a member of the LA Sparks,” Ogwumike said. “I want to thank our ownership group, our entire front office staff, and our coaches for their commitment and dedication to growing our league. I’m proud to be a part of an organization with championship history and expectations and I’m motivated to continue building the Sparks legacy as we head into our 25th anniversary season. I’m determined and focused on competing at the highest level with my teammates.”

Known as one of the most efficient players in professional basketball, the six-time All-Star is second in WNBA history in career true shooting percentage at 61.6%. In 2016, Ogwumike recorded the highest single-season true shooting percentage (73.7%) in WNBA and NBA history.

“Nneka Ogwumike is an exemplary person, athlete, and teammate,” General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher said. “We are grateful to return one of the league’s generational talents and leaders. Not only has Nneka won an MVP and championship on the court, but she is an MVP off the court for her pivotal work in the social justice movement and as WNBPA President.”

As WNBPA President, Ogwumike was instrumental in negotiating the 2020 WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. She also played a key role in the strategic planning of the 2020 WNBA season at IMG Academy. Her leadership on and off the court earned her back-to-back WNBA Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Awards in 2019 and 2020. She was recently named one of the 2020 LA Sports Council Sportspersons of the Year, along with LeBron James and Mookie Betts.

The Los Angeles Sparks selected Ogwumike No. 1 overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft out of Stanford University. Ogwumike’s accolades over her nine-year storied career include: Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie Team (2012), MVP (2016), First Team All-WNBA (2016), Second Team All-WNBA (2014, 2017, 2019), six All-Star appearances (2013-2015, 2017-2019), four WNBA All-Defensive First Teams honors (2015-2017, 2019), and a WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honor (2018).