Sparks Re-Sign Two-Time All-Star Chiney Ogwumike


Los Angeles Sparks Official Release

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks announced today the re-signing of forward/center Chiney Ogwumike. The two-time WNBA All-Star has career averages of 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 55.5% from the field, the fourth-best career field goal percentage in WNBA history.

“We’re excited to have Chiney Ogwumike back on the court with us,” General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher said. “In 2019, Chiney brought us energy, defense, rebounding and an ability to score efficiently. Off the court, she continues to raise the bar as a role model, entrepreneur and civic leader. She’s an important part of our Sparks family and we’re looking forward to having her back.”

Chiney Ogwumike is Vice President of the WNBPA and worked alongside her sister, teammate and players union President Nneka Ogwumike to help shepherd the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement. She is also a full-time NBA analyst with ESPN and made history in 2020 when she was named the first Black woman to co-host a daily, nationally syndicated radio show for the network.

“I am hyped to be back with the Sparks! The goal remains the same: win a championship with my sister and this squad. I am grateful to be a part of an organization that works with me to continue to push boundaries on and off the court,” Chiney Ogwumike said.

Ogwumike attended Stanford University before being selected No. 1 overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. She would go on to win Rookie of the Year that season in one of the strongest rookie campaigns in league history as she averaged 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. In total, she played three seasons with Connecticut (2014, 2016, 2018), missing 2015 and 2017 with injuries. She made the All-Star team in 2014 and 2018.

The Sparks first acquired the Houston-native in a 2019 preseason trade with the Sun in exchange for LA’s 2020 first-round pick. In 2019, Ogwumike appeared in 32 regular season games and all four playoff games for the Sparks, averaging 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game. In 14 starts in 2019, Ogwumike averaged 14.1 points and 8.3 rebounds. Ogwumike sat out the 2020 season as a precaution.

Click here to read Breaking My Own basketball News by Chiney Ogwumike.

The Sparks will play their 25th anniversary season in 2021.