History of Arike Ogunbowale in Timeline

Arike Ogunbowale is a prominent American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings (WNBA). Rising to fame during her collegiate career with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, she secured a national championship for her team in 2018, being recognized as the Most Outstanding Player after scoring the game-winning shots in both the semi-final and final matches. Her exceptional talent led her to be the fifth overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft. Beyond her team achievements, she has garnered significant individual accolades, including being named WNBA All Star MVP in both 2021 and 2024.

March 2, 1997: Birth of Arike Ogunbowale

Arike Ogunbowale was born on March 2, 1997, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

2007: Previous Dallas Wings 2-0 Season Start

The Dallas Wings had their last 2-0 season start before 2023 back in 2007, highlighting the significance of Arike Ogunbowale's contribution to the team's strong start in May 2023.

2009: Start of High School Soccer Success

Arike Ogunbowale began her impressive run in soccer, becoming part of four consecutive Division One Wisconsin State High School Champion teams from 2009.

2011: National Basketball Championship and MVP

Arike Ogunbowale, in her last year at Our Redeemer Lutheran School, led her team to win the national championship at the 2011 Tournament of Champions. Her exceptional performance earned her the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.

2012: End of High School Soccer Reign

Arike Ogunbowale's successful stint with her high school soccer team came to an end in 2012, concluding their four-year winning streak as Division One Wisconsin State High School Champions.

2014: Start of Wisconsin State Championship Season

Arike Ogunbowale and the Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (DSHA) basketball team began their journey towards winning the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I title in the 2014-2015 season.

2015: Wisconsin State Championship and National Recognition

Arike Ogunbowale led her high school basketball team to win the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I title in 2015, averaging an impressive 27.2 points per game. Her performance earned her numerous accolades, including being ranked ninth in the world, named 2015 Wisconsin Miss Basketball, and selected as a McDonald's High School All-America player.

2017: Start of Championship Season at Notre Dame

The 2017-2018 school year marked the beginning of a remarkable season for Arike Ogunbowale and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, culminating in their NCAA championship win.

April 2018: Dancing with the Stars Debut

Arike Ogunbowale was announced as a contestant on season 26 of Dancing with the Stars in April 2018, paired with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko.

May 7, 2018: Dancing with the Stars Elimination

Arike Ogunbowale, partnered with Gleb Savchenko, was eliminated from season 26 of Dancing with the Stars on May 7, 2018, finishing in 7th place.

2018: NCAA Championship and Most Outstanding Player

Arike Ogunbowale led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to victory in the 2018 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. Her game-winning shots in both the semifinal and final games earned her the title of Most Outstanding Player.

2018: NCAA Championship and ACC Athlete of the Year

Arike Ogunbowale played a key role in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish's victory in the 2018 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, securing their championship win. Her outstanding performance throughout the year led to her being named the Atlantic Coast Conference's (ACC) Female Athlete of the Year, an honor she shared with Lamar Jackson, Louisville football player.

2019: Impressive Rookie Season Performance

Arike Ogunbowale finished her rookie season in the WNBA as the third-highest scorer, averaging 19.1 points per game. She displayed consistent scoring prowess, achieving 20 or more points in 13 out of her last 14 games, including the final 11 games of the season.

2019: WNBA Debut and All-Rookie Team

Arike Ogunbowale was drafted by the Dallas Wings in 2019, marking her entry into the WNBA. Her stellar performance, averaging 19.1 points per game and a remarkable scoring streak, earned her a spot on the All-Rookie Team.

2019: Drafted by Dallas Wings

Arike Ogunbowale's professional basketball career began in 2019 when she was drafted as the fifth overall pick by the Dallas Wings in the WNBA draft.

July 14, 2021: WNBA All-Star Game MVP

Arike Ogunbowale earned the title of Most Valuable Player at the WNBA All-Star Game on July 14, 2021, after scoring 26 points and leading her team to victory against Team USA.

December 30, 2021: Induction into DSHA Hall of Fame

Arike Ogunbowale was inducted into the Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (DSHA) Hall of Fame on December 30, 2021, recognizing her outstanding basketball career during her time at the school.

2021: First WNBA All-Star Game MVP

Arike Ogunbowale was named the WNBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player in 2021, after scoring 26 points and leading her team to victory against Team USA.

2022: International Play, Coaching, and Injury

During the 2022 WNBA offseason, Arike Ogunbowale played basketball overseas in Turkey and Russia. She also dedicated her time to coaching at the 2022 NBA Academy Women's Camp in Senegal. Despite an oblique injury towards the end of the regular season, which sidelined her for two months, she remained active, participating in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game and engaging in off-court opportunities like a player marketing agreement with the WNBA.

May 2023: WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month

Arike Ogunbowale was named the WNBA's Western Conference Player of the Month in May 2023. She led the league in scoring during the first week of May, averaging 26.7 points per game, and helped Dallas achieve its first 2-0 season start since 2007.

May 2023: Recognized as Cornerstone of Dallas Wings

Following a win against the Atlanta Dream in May 2023, Arike Ogunbowale was hailed as the "cornerstone" of the Dallas Wings by the Dallas Morning News, acknowledging her vital role in the team's success.

June 2023: Season-High Score and National Visibility

Arike Ogunbowale continued to shine in June 2023, achieving a season-high score of 35 points in a game against the Mercury, leading the Dallas Wings to victory in front of a sold-out crowd. This coincided with increased national visibility for the WNBA, with her parents celebrating the debut of WNBA games on national television, expanding her reach beyond arenas.

May 19, 2024: Engagement to Lala Ronay

Arike Ogunbowale announced her engagement to Lala Ronay on May 19, 2024.

July 20, 2024: Second WNBA All-Star MVP and Record-Breaking Performance

Arike Ogunbowale etched her name in WNBA history by winning her second All-Star Game MVP award on July 20, 2024. Her performance was nothing short of spectacular, setting a new WNBA All-Star Game record with 34 points and contributing 6 assists - all achieved in the second half of the game against Team USA.

2024: Second WNBA All-Star Game MVP

Arike Ogunbowale was named the WNBA All-Star Game MVP for the second time in 2024. She scored a record-breaking 34 points, with 6 assists, all in the second half of the game, leading the WNBA All-Stars to victory against Team USA.