History of Nneka Ogwumike in Timeline

Nneka Ogwumike is an American professional basketball player currently with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2012, she played twelve seasons with the team, achieving significant success. Ogwumike was named the WNBA MVP in 2016 and led the Sparks to a WNBA Finals victory that same year. Recognizing her exceptional career, she was named to The W25 in 2021, which celebrated the top 25 players in the WNBA's first 25 years.

Sections (3)

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: Won WNBA championship

In 2016, Ogwumike won her first career WNBA championship, Sparks winning their first championship since 2002.

2003: WNBA Finals

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

2007: High School 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

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

July 2008: FIBA Americas Championship Gold Medal

In July 2008, Nneka Ogwumike was a member of the USA Women's U18 team which won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She led all scorers with 12.6 points per game and was the leading rebounder with 8 per game.

2008: WBCA All-American

In 2008, Nneka Ogwumike was named a WBCA All-American. She also participated in the 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 2008, Nneka Ogwumike won gold with USA Under 18 Team in Argentina and was named MVP of the tournament. She tallied 20 points and 15 rebounds in the championship game.

August 2009: U19 World's Championship Gold Medal

In July and August 2009, Nneka Ogwumike played on the USA Women's U19 team which represented the US in the U19 World's Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand. They won the gold medal and Nneka was named to the all-tournament team.

January 23, 2010: Cardinal Record

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

December 20, 2011: Career High 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 played on the team presenting the US at the World University Games held in Shenzhen, China. The team won all six games to earn the gold medal.

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 by Los Angeles Sparks

On April 16, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike was picked 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 in a 77–74 win over the Indiana Fever.

September 13, 2012: Season High Points

On September 13, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike scored a season high 30 points in an 86–77 win over the Chicago Sky.

September 20, 2012: Team Highs

On September 20, 2012, Nneka Ogwumike matched her teammate Candace Parker for team highs in both points and rebounds with each player earning 22 and 11, respectively, in a 92–76 win over the defending WNBA champion 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 into WNBA and Signed with Nike

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 Poland

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

2014: WNBA All-Star Selection

In 2014, Nneka Ogwumike averaged 15.8 ppg 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 Gold Medal

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

2014: Sister Drafted First Overall

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

2014: Played in China

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

June 30, 2016: Career-High 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.

2016: WNBA MVP and Finals Win

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

August 18, 2017: Season-High 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: Played in Russia

From 2014 to 2018, Ogwumike played in Russia for Dynamo Kursk and won the 2017 Euroleague with the club.

August 2, 2018: Return after week of fatigue

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

2018: Played in Russia

From 2014 to 2018, Ogwumike played in Russia for Dynamo Kursk and won the 2017 Euroleague with the club.

July 4, 2019: Season-High 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: Re-elected as President of WNBAPA

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

2019: Returned to Guangdong

In 2019, Ogwumike returned to Guangdong.

September 12, 2020: Season-High Points

On September 12, 2020, Nneka Ogwumike scored a season-high 24 points in a 84–70 loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

2020: Nationality Switch

In 2020, Nneka Ogwumike withdrew from representing the USA Women's team and has been pushing to switch nationality to represent Nigeria's D'Tigress.

2020: More Than a Vote founded

In August 2024, Ogwumike took over leadership of the non-profit voting rights organization, More Than a Vote, founded by LeBron James in 2020.

January 2021: Re-signed with the Sparks

In January 2021, Nneka Ogwumike re-signed with the Sparks to a multi-year deal.

2021: Named to The W25

In 2021, Nneka Ogwumike was named to The W25, the league's list of the top 25 players of its first 25 years.

February 5, 2024: Signed with Seattle Storm

On February 5, 2024, Nneka Ogwumike signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Storm.

February 2024: Joined WNBA Changemakers Collective

In February 2024, Ogwumike joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT (VIS) as a mentor, aimed at keeping girls in sport and developing diverse leaders on the court and beyond the game.