Nneka Ogwumike embodies the word ‘legend’. She has risen from a modest Nigerian family to becoming one of the most impactful and relatable athletes in the WNBA, and a true inspiration.
The Seattle Storm forward is also the WNBA president, lending her voice to player issues and playing a role in taking women’s basketball as far as possible.
Whether she’s dropping 20 points to lead her team to victory or pushing the boundaries of gender equality, Nneka Ogwumike deserves to be celebrated.
Who is Nneka Ogwumike?
Nneka Ogwumike is a professional basketball player in the WNBA, currently playing for the Seattle Storm. She was chosen by the Los Angeles Sparks as the first overall pick in the 2012 WNBA draft. She quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with, winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
Ogwumike’s impressive career has seen her win numerous accolades, including nine WNBA All-Star selections (2013-2015, 2017-2019, 2022-2024). She has also been named to the All-WNBA First Team (2016) and the All-WNBA Second Team five times (2014, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023).
In addition to her impressive offense, Ogwumike is a skilled defender, standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches. She has been named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team four times, and the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team twice.
The 2016 season was a standout year for Ogwumike, as she was awarded the WNBA MVP and helped the Sparks win the championship title.
In the 2023 season, Ogwumike averaged 19.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, shooting 51.2% from the field. She was also elected as a WNBA All-Star starter.
Ogwumike’s leadership extends beyond the court. She has been the President of the WNBA Players Association since 2016, advocating for players’ welfare and social justice.
Nneka Ogwumike: Early life
Nneka Ogwumike was born on July 2, 1990, in Tomball, Texas. 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.
The budding athlete attended Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas, where she quickly made a name for herself as a basketball star. Her impressive skills on the court helped her team reach the 5A State Championship in her senior year. Nneka’s hard work paid off, earning her numerous awards, scholarships, and eventually, a full ride to Stanford University.
At Stanford, the Nigerian-American continued to shine as one of the top players in college basketball. She racked up multiple All-American awards and led the Cardinal to four consecutive Final Four appearances. Her impressive stats in scoring, rebounding, and defense made her a hot prospect for the WNBA.
Is Nneka Ogwumike a Nigerian?
Yes, Nneka Ogwumike is Nigerian by virtue of being born to Nigerian parents. As a first-generation Nigerian-American, Nneka’s upbringing was deeply rooted in her heritage.
Her father, Peter Ogwumike, came to the United States to study at Weber State University in Utah, while her mother, Ify Ogwumike, has had a distinguished career in education, currently serving as an assistant school district superintendent.
The Ogwumike family’s strong connection to their Nigerian roots has had a profound impact on Nneka’s character and sense of belonging. This cultural bond is shared by several other Nigerian-American athletes who have made a name for themselves in their respective sports.
Nneka is part of a growing list of Nigerian-American athletes in the WNBA, including Dallas Wings star Arike Ogunbowale,
In Nneka’s family, sports and education were always encouraged. As the eldest of four sisters, Nneka, along with her sisters Chiney, Erica, and Olivia, were all raised to value hard work and teamwork.
Chiney, also a professional WNBA player, has played alongside Nneka for the Los Angeles Sparks, while Erica and Olivia played college basketball for Rice University.
Nneka Ogwumike: WNBA Career
The Los Angeles Sparks selected Nneka Ogwumike as the first overall pick in the 2012 WNBA draft. She quickly made an impact, winning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award in 2012.
In 2016, Ogwumike had a breakout season, averaging 19.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. She was named the AP WNBA Player of the Year and the WNBA Most Valuable Player. The Sparks won the WNBA championship that year, with Ogwumike making the game-winning shot in Game 5.
Ogwumike continued to excel, earning multiple All-Star selections and All-WNBA Team honors. In 2017, she signed a contract extension with the Sparks and led the team to the WNBA Finals again.
In 2020, the season was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ogwumike played 18 games, averaging 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The Sparks were eliminated in the second round.
In 2021, Ogwumike re-signed with the Sparks and was named to The W25, a list of the top 25 players in WNBA history.
In 2024, Ogwumike signed a one-year contract with the Seattle Storm. She re-signed with the Storm for another year in 2025.
Personal life
So, what do we know about Nneka Ogwumike’s personal life? I know her fans are dying to find out who she’s dating or if she’s married.
Behind the spotlight of her basketball career, Nneka Ogwumike values her private life. She comes from a tight-knit family that has always encouraged her and her siblings to pursue their passions.
This supportive environment has fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie, particularly with her sister Chiney Ogwumike, who is also a professional basketball player.
As for her romantic life, Nneka Ogwumike is currently single. While there have been rumors and speculations about her relationships in the past, she has never publicly confirmed any of them. She prefers to keep her personal life out of the spotlight, focusing instead on her career and advocacy work.
As the President of the WNBA Players Association, Ogwumike has been a vocal advocate for players’ rights and social justice issues. She uses her platform to raise awareness and drive positive change, inspiring countless fans and fellow athletes along the way.
Nneka Ogwumike: Networth
Nneka Ogwumike’s hard work on and off the court has paid off. She is reportedly worth $2 million, with an average annual salary of $204,500 for the 2024 season. Her previous deal with the Los Angeles Sparks was a one-year, $169,500 contract, fully guaranteed.
While WNBA players are known to earn significantly less than their male counterparts, Ogwumike has built a respectable fortune. More importantly, she has used her platform to champion the cause of moving women’s basketball forward.
In an interview with NBC Sports, Ogwumike shared her thoughts on leadership, activism, and her passion for making an impact. “Being a leader and an activist, while remaining a star on the court, is the most important thing in the end,” she said.
“I think that I just want to have some type of impact in anything that I do and on the people that I do it with—even those who don’t know what I do. If there’s any level of impact to educate someone in some way, it’s insatiable for me. I don’t ever feel as though I’ve mastered anything, and I don’t want to feel as though I’ve mastered anything.”
Ogwumike also emphasized the importance of learning from others and staying open-minded. “I learned so much from those around me. Maybe contrary to Nigerian culture, I think there’s so much to be learned [about] the people that are coming after you. Because I think it keeps you sharp, it keeps you fresh, and allows you to grow in the present, for the future, with the wisdom of the past.”
Nneka Ogwumike: Social media
Want to keep up with Nneka Ogwumike’s latest adventures? You can find her on social media platforms like Instagram and X.
On her Instagram account (@nnekaogwumike), Nneka loves to share updates on her life, from her favourite fashion moments to behind-the-scenes peeks at her games. She’s also passionate about using her platform to support social causes that matter to her.
Recently, she posted about women’s rights and reproductive freedom, sparking important conversations with her followers.
You can also catch Nneka on X (@nnekaogwumike), where she shares her thoughts, insights, and experiences with her fans.
