Chiney Ogwumike is a born winner, history maker, and right at the forefront of bridging the gap between an accomplished WNBA career and her rising star as a sports broadcaster at ESPN.
Ogwumike has taken a step back from her playing career to focus on her work as a broadcaster, and her journey is an inspiration.
As an African American woman in sports media, Ogwumike knows she’s breaking barriers and paving the way for others.
Here is the story of one of Africa’s finest athletes, Chiney Ogwumike.
Who is Chiney Ogwumike?
Chiney Ogwumike is an American professional basketball player and sports broadcaster of Nigerian descent. Born on March 21, 1992, Ogwumike last played for the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Ogwumike’s impressive resume extends far beyond her athletic achievements. In 2020, she made history as the first Black woman and WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN.
Chiney Ogwumike landed a coveted role as an NBA analyst, becoming one of the youngest commentators to cover the NBA, WNBA, and other sports for the network.
She is also the first female ambassador for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
A Stanford University graduate, Ogwumike majored in International Relations and had an impressive college basketball career. She played in three Final Fours and led her conference in scoring and rebounding.
Off the court, Chiney Ogwumike has been a vocal leader. She has served as vice president of the WNBA Players Association since 2016.
She also partnered with Adidas and signed a multi-year contract with ESPN in 2018 to become a full-time basketball analyst.
Chiney Ogwumike: Early Life
Chiney Ogwumike was born in Tomball, Texas, and grew up to be a standout basketball player in her home state. She grew up in a supportive family with Nigerian parents, Peter and Ify Ogwumike.
Her childhood was all about balancing education and sports, and she was lucky to have parents who encouraged her to pursue her passions.
She attended Cypress Fairbanks High School in nearby Cypress, where she won two 5A State Championships – one in her sophomore year and another in her senior year.
Consequently, Ogwumike’s impressive high school career earned her numerous accolades. Notably, she was named a WBCA and McDonald’s All-American.
Additionally, she participated in the 2010 WBCA High School All-America Game, where she scored 24 points and took home MVP honors for the White team.
Is Chiney Ogwumike a Nigerian?
Chiney Ogwumike claims Nigerian heritage through her parents’ roots. As a first-generation Nigerian-American, Chiney’s parents deeply rooted her upbringing in their heritage.
Her father, Peter Ogwumike, pursued higher education at Weber State University in Utah. Her mother, Ify Ogwumike, built a distinguished career in education, currently serving as an assistant school district superintendent.
The Ogwumike family proudly maintains strong ties to their Nigerian roots, profoundly shaping Chiney’s character and sense of belonging.
Chiney shares this cultural bond with several other Nigerian-American athletes who have made a name for themselves in their respective sports.
Basketball Career
Chiney Ogwumike’s WNBA career has been marked by impressive achievements and unfortunate setbacks. Drafted first overall by the Connecticut Sun in 2014, Ogwumike had a stellar rookie season, averaging 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. She was named a WNBA All-Star alongside her sister Nneka, a historic first for the league.
Ogwumike’s rookie season earned her the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, and she seemed poised for a dominant career. However, a knee injury requiring microfracture surgery forced her to miss the entire 2015 season.
After a healthy return in 2016, Ogwumike continued to impress, scoring a career-high 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in a game against the Dallas Wings. She also played for Henan Phoenix in the Chinese league, where she scored an astonishing 56 points in one game.
Injuries and failed comebacks
However, another severe injury, this time to her Achilles, forced Ogwumike to undergo surgery and miss the 2017 WNBA season. The Connecticut Sun suspended her for the season to free up a roster spot, but Ogwumike signed a contract extension and eventually made her return to the Sun in 2018.
Ogwumike achieved a new career-high 30 points in a game against the Seattle Storm, and fans voted her into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game. The Los Angeles Sparks traded for her in 2019, reuniting Ogwumike with her sister Nneka.
She played for the Sparks until 2020 when she opted out of the season due to health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ogwumike re-signed with the Sparks in 2021 but has since shifted her focus to her career as a sports broadcaster for ESPN, establishing herself as a prominent voice in the industry.
Gold medal winner with Team USA
Chiney Ogwumike’s international basketball career took off when she was named to the USA Basketball U18 team. The team competed in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Women, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ogwumike started all five games, leading the team in scoring with 13.2 points, also contributing 7.4 rebounds per game. The USA team won all five games and took home the gold medal.
Ogwumike’s strong performance earned her a spot on the World University Games team for the 2011 World University Games in Shenzhen, China. She was joined by her sister, Nneka Ogwumike, and both started every game.
Chiney averaged nearly ten points per game, shooting a team-leading 67.6% from the field. The USA team won all six games, capturing the gold medal.
Chiney Ogwumike: Personal life
Chiney Ogwumike’s personal life is rooted in her Catholic faith and strong family ties. Her older sister, Nneka Ogwumike, is also a professional basketball player, currently with the Seattle Storm.
The festivities began with a welcome party at Ogwumike’s family home. This was followed by a traditional Nigerian ceremony at the Igbo Catholic Community Center in Houston, Texas.
Over 900 guests attended the ceremony, which was a beautiful expression of Ogwumike’s first-generation Nigerian-American heritage and Akpejiori’s Lagos roots. The couple’s wedding celebration was a true reflection of their love and cultural backgrounds.
Chiney Ogwumike: Networth
According to Showbiz cheat sheet, Chiney Ogwumike’s net worth is estimated to be between $1.7 million and $2.5 million in 2025. All this is thanks to her successful career in the WNBA, endorsement deals, and work as a sports analyst for ESPN. Her international league appearances have also contributed to her financial success.
Ogwumike has played for several teams, including the Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks. She’s also had stints with Familia Schio in Italy and Henan Yichuan in China.
Chiney Ogwumike has made a name for herself as a sports analyst, becoming the first black woman and WNBA player to broadcast nationally for ESPN.
Her versatility and expertise have made her a sought-after commentator, covering the NBA, WNBA, and other sports.
Chiney Ogwumike: Social Media
Want to stay in the loop with Chiney Ogwumike’s latest happenings? Follow her on social media! She’s active on Instagram (@Chiney) and X (@Chiney), where she loves to share glimpses into her life.
On Instagram, you can expect to see a mix of her favorite fashion moments, behind-the-scenes peeks at her ESPN shows, and updates on the causes she’s passionate about. She’s all about using her platform to make a positive impact.
