Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Arike Ogunbowale

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Arike Ogunbowale made an impact.

Arike Ogunbowale is a professional basketball player renowned for her clutch performances and scoring prowess. She plays for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA and the Mist of Unrivaled. Ogunbowale gained national recognition while playing college basketball for Notre Dame, where she led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 2018, earning the Most Outstanding Player award. She made game-winning shots in both the semi-final and championship games. Drafted into the WNBA in 2019, she has since become a prominent player. She earned the WNBA All-Star MVP award in both 2021 and 2024.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: First 2-0 season start since 2007

In May 2023 Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas to its first 2-0 season start since 2007.

2011: National Championship and MVP

In 2011, Arike Ogunbowale helped Our Redeemer girls’ team win the national championship at the Tournament of Champions sponsored by the Lutheran Basketball Association of America, and she was named the MVP of the tournament.

2017: Start of Championship Run

In the 2017-18 school year, Ogunbowale began her junior season that led to the Fighting Irish winning the 2018 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

2018: NCAA Champion and ACC Athlete of the Year

In 2018, Arike Ogunbowale helped the Fighting Irish win the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament and was named Atlantic Coast Conference female Athlete of the Year.

2018: Most Outstanding Player

In 2018, Arike Ogunbowale was the Most Outstanding Player of Notre Dame's national title run, hitting game-winning baskets in both the semi-final and championship game.

2019: All-Rookie Team Selection

During the 2019 season, Arike Ogunbowale was third in the league in scoring and was named to the All-Rookie Team.

2019: Entry into WNBA

In 2019, Arike Ogunbowale entered the WNBA league as the fifth overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.

July 14, 2021: WNBA All-Star MVP

On July 14, 2021, Arike Ogunbowale was selected as the WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) with 26 points in the team WNBA win versus the women's Olympic squad, Team USA.

2022: Coaching at NBA Academy Women's Camp and NBA Celebrity All-Star Game

In 2022, Arike Ogunbowale coached at the NBA Academy Women's Camp in Senegal and played during the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game in Utah. She also suffered an oblique injury and stayed home for the offseason instead of playing overseas, accepting a player marketing agreement from the WNBA.

May 2023: WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month

In May 2023, Arike Ogunbowale was named the WNBA's Western Conference Player of the Month after averaging a league-high 26.7 points and leading Dallas to its first 2–0 season start since 2007.

May 2023: Cornerstone of the Team

In May 2023, after a win over the Atlanta Dream, the Dallas Morning News called Arike Ogunbowale the "cornerstone" of the team.

June 2023: National Television Airing of WNBA Games and Season-High Points

In June 2023, Arike Ogunbowale's parents praised the debut of WNBA shows being aired on national television. Also in June 2023, Arike led the Dallas Wings to a win over Mercury, scoring a season-high of 35 points.

July 12, 2024: Announcement of Participation in Unrivaled League

On July 12, 2024, it was announced that Arike Ogunbowale would appear and play in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new women's 3-on-3 basketball league.

July 20, 2024: Second WNBA All-Star Game MVP

On July 20, 2024, Arike Ogunbowale was named the WNBA All Star Game MVP for the second time after scoring 34 points with 6 assists, setting a WNBA All-Star Game record. The WNBA All Stars were playing against Team USA Olympic teams.