Nneka Ogwumike is back with the Los Angeles Sparks. The 2016 WNBA MVP re-signed with the team on a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old forward was drafted No. 1 overall by the Sparks in 2012, and she has spent the entirety of her 11-season career in Los Angeles. The one-year dealย is worth $165,000, ESPN reported.
Ogwumike had been vocal about wanting to return, and she has been working with new coach Curt Miller and new general manager Karen Bryant on setting the direction for the team.
“I feel like I’m reaching a pivotal point my career and understanding what I want it to mean,” Ogwumike told ESPN. “I’m excited to see a lot of the enhancements that we’re making. I’m grateful to be surrounded by both players, coaches and staff that have a greater vision for the organization.
“I feel really good with where I’m at and how I’m progressing as an athlete. I want to be able to win and do that with some great people. I really do believe in this organization.”
๐๐บ ๐ท๐ฆ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ท๐ช๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ด ๐ค๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ.@nnekaogwumike returns. pic.twitter.com/PfVvKMRaWu— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) February 24, 2023
๐๐บ ๐ท๐ฆ๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐ข๐ฏ ๐ท๐ช๐ด๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ด ๐ค๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ช๐ต๐ต๐ฆ๐ฅ.@nnekaogwumike returns. pic.twitter.com/PfVvKMRaWu
Miller and Bryant both said that re-signing Ogwumike and getting her input on their offseason moves were top priorities.ย
“She’s had a front-row seat in the franchise for many years for many years, and has seen the things that have worked and things that have not been as successful,” Bryant said. “Her global view, playing experience and credibility were hugely valuable to us.”
Ogwumikeโs sister Chiney also has re-signed with the Sparks.
“We’re really two entities that are stronger together,” Nneka Ogwumike said. “It’s always something to be celebrated. And I really want to take that to another level in winning with my sister.”
A new day and age is here with @chiney.Stayed tuned for more of this discussion.#LetsGoSparks #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/Erp2XpzUbZ— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) February 23, 2023
A new day and age is here with @chiney.Stayed tuned for more of this discussion.#LetsGoSparks #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/Erp2XpzUbZ