After 18 seasons playing in the WNBA and many achievements, Los Angeles Sparks legend Nneka Ogwumike announced she is officially ending her career after this season. Ogwumike, 36, announced the news on Wednesday during a conversation with Taylor Rooks on "Boardroom Talks." Ogwumike, also the President of the Women's National Basketball Association, told Rooks she felt "very fulfilled" with her career and was "proud" to announce her retirement. "I've learned there's power in knowing when to walk away.
For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled, and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything I've poured into it," she said of her retirement.
Ogwumike began her career with the Sparks in 2012 and, after winning Rookie of the Year, eventually became an all-time great. She won a championship with the team in 2016 and was named WNBA MVP in the same year. More news: A'ja Wilson Defends Becky Hammon's Ejection After Aces Loss to Dream Along with that, her accolades and achievements are quite impressive.
She was named to the WNBA All-Star team 11 times during her career, including this recent Sparks season. She was a four-time WNBA All-Defensive First Team member and ranks in the top five all-time for points scored with 7,484, as of this writing. By the time the season ends, she may have taken over fourth place, as another retired legend, Tina Thompson, is just four points above her.
She will retire third all-time in career rebounds, having grabbed 3,565 boards during her impressive time playing for the Sparks, and, briefly, for the Seattle Storm. She exits as the Sparks' all-time leader in scoring, field goals made, steals, and double-double performances. This is definitely a huge moment within WNBA history due to how important Ogwumike has been to the league and its growth.
She announces her retirement at a time when her team, the Sparks, are in a losing season, currently at 12-23. After trading Kelsey Plum to the Phoenix Mercury, Los Angeles is still struggling to remain competitive and likely won't reach the postseason. Still, Ogwumike has helped the league tremendously since her debut and inspired others to continue making significant strides to impact the WNBA as it grows further.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
