History of Nneka Ogwumike in Timeline

Nneka Ogwumike is a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2012, she spent 12 seasons with the team. Her accomplishments include being named WNBA MVP in 2016, winning the WNBA Finals in the same year with the Sparks, and being recognized as one of the top 25 players in the league's first 25 years with her inclusion in The W25 in 2021. She also signed an endorsement deal with Nike early in her career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

July 2, 1990: Nneka Ogwumike Born

On July 2, 1990, Nnemkadi Chinwe Victoria "Nneka" Ogwumike was born. She is an American professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Sparks Last Championship

In 2016, Nneka Ogwumike won her first career WNBA championship, the first for the Sparks since 2002.

2003: Sparks Last Finals Appearance

In 2016, Nneka Ogwumike and the Sparks advanced to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2003.

2007: High School Season Stats

During the 2007–08 season at Cy-Fair High School, Nneka Ogwumike averaged 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.

2007: Lindsey Harding Drafted #1 Overall

In 2007, Lindsey Harding was drafted #1 overall into the WNBA. Nneka Ogwumike became the second player from Cypress-Fairbanks High School to be drafted No. 1 overall into the WNBA behind Lindsey Harding in 2007.

July 2008: FIBA Americas Championship Gold

In July 2008, Nneka Ogwumike won a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, helping the USA team defeat Argentina in the final.

2008: WBCA All-American and MVP

In 2008, Nneka Ogwumike was named a WBCA All-American and participated in the 2008 WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring 17 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, and earning MVP honors for the White team.

2008: Gold Medal and MVP in Argentina

In 2008, Nneka Ogwumike won a gold medal with the USA Under 18 Team in Argentina and was named MVP of the tournament after leading the team in scoring and rebounding.

August 2009: U19 World Championship Gold

In July and August 2009, Nneka Ogwumike won a gold medal with the USA Women's U19 team at the U19 World's Championship in Bangkok, Thailand. She was the team's leading scorer and rebounder and was named to the all-tournament team.

January 23, 2010: Cardinal Record for Rebounds

On January 23, 2010, Nneka Ogwumike set a new Cardinal record for rebounds in a game with 23 in a 100-80 victory over Oregon.

December 20, 2011: Career-High 42 Points

On December 20, 2011, Nneka Ogwumike scored a career-high 42 points on 19 for 27 shooting while also grabbing 17 rebounds in a 97–80 win over the sixth-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols.

2011: World University Games Gold Medal

In 2011, Nneka Ogwumike, along with her sister Chiney Ogwumike, won a gold medal at the World University Games held in Shenzhen, China, representing the US. Nneka averaged 13.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.

January 7, 2012: 2,000 Points and 1,000 Rebounds

On January 7, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike surpassed both the 2,000 point and the 1,000 rebound thresholds for her career with a 33-point, 16 rebound performance against Oregon State.

April 16, 2012: Drafted #1 Overall by Los Angeles Sparks

On April 16, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2012 WNBA draft.

July 12, 2012: Career-High Rebounds

On July 12, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike set a career-high in rebounds with 20, along with 22 points, in a 77–74 win over the Indiana Fever.

September 13, 2012: Season High 30 Points

On September 13, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike scored a season high 30 points on 10 of 15 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, in an 86–77 win over the Chicago Sky.

September 20, 2012: Team Highs in Points and Rebounds

On September 20, 2012, in the regular season finale, Nneka Ogwumike matched her teammate Candace Parker for team highs in both points and rebounds, each with 22 and 11 respectively, in a 92–76 win over the Minnesota Lynx.

October 7, 2012: WNBA Rookie of the Year

On October 7, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike was awarded as the 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

2012: Drafted by Los Angeles Sparks and Nike Deal

In 2012, Nneka Ogwumike was drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA draft and subsequently signed an endorsement deal with Nike.

2012: Played in Poland

In the 2012–13 off-season, Ogwumike played in Poland for CCC Polkowice and won a championship with the team.

2013: Played in China

In the 2013–2014 off-season, Nneka Ogwumike played in China for Guangdong Vermilion Birds.

2014: WNBA All-Star Selection

In 2014, Nneka Ogwumike averaged 15.8 points per game and was voted as a WNBA All-Star for the second time in her career along with her sister Chiney Ogwumike, becoming the first pair of sisters to be selected into a WNBA All-Star game.

2014: FIBA World Championship for Women Gold Medal

In 2014, Nneka Ogwumike played for Team USA at the FIBA World Championship for Women, helping the team win the gold medal by beating Spain 77–64 in the final game.

2014: Sister Drafted #1 Overall

In 2014, Nneka Ogwumike's younger sister, Chiney Ogwumike, was the first overall pick in the WNBA draft.

2014: Played in Russia

In the 2014–2018 off-seasons, Ogwumike played in Russia for Dynamo Kursk.

June 30, 2016: Career-High 38 Points

On June 30, 2016, Nneka Ogwumike scored a career-high 38 points along with 11 rebounds in an 84–75 victory against the Atlanta Dream.

2016: Elected President of WNBAPA

In 2016, Nneka Ogwumike was elected President of the WNBA Players Association (WNBAPA).

2016: WNBA MVP and Championship

In 2016, Nneka Ogwumike was named WNBA MVP and won the WNBA Finals with the Los Angeles Sparks.

August 18, 2017: Season-High 32 Points

On August 18, 2017, Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 32 points along with 10 rebounds in a 115–106 double overtime victory over the Chicago Sky.

2017: Won Euroleague

In 2017, Nneka Ogwumike and Dynamo Kursk won the Euroleague championship.

August 2, 2018: Return from Sidelining

On August 2, 2018, Nneka Ogwumike made her return against the Minnesota Lynx after being sidelined due to fatigue, scoring 15 points in a 79–57 victory.

2018: Played in Russia

In the 2014–2018 off-seasons, Ogwumike played in Russia for Dynamo Kursk.

July 4, 2019: Season-High 31 Points

On July 4, 2019, Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 31 points along with 10 rebounds in a 98–81 victory over the Washington Mystics.

2019: Returned to Guangdong

In 2019, Nneka Ogwumike returned to Guangdong to play for the Guangdong Vermilion Birds.

2019: Re-elected as WNBAPA President

In 2019, Nneka Ogwumike was re-elected to a new three-year term as President of the WNBA Players Association.

September 12, 2020: Season-High 24 Points

On September 12, 2020, Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 24 points in an 84–70 loss to the Las Vegas Aces during the season in a bubble at IMG Academy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.