Nigerian-born star, Nneka Ogwumike received a befitting early send-off into retirement from one of her former clubs, as players, staff and fans of the Seattle Storm gave her a standing ovation before she lined out for her present team, Los Angeles Storm, in a game between both sides.
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Sports247 reports that the game in Seattle turned into a remarkable send-off in honour of Ogwumike, as everyone stood to clap for her in what could be her last trip to the arena as a player in the USA Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
A report by Sports Yahoo contributing writer, Kari Anderson, revealed: “Nneka Ogwumike’s time with Seattle Storm might have been short, but it was impactful. As the Los Angeles Sparks forward returned to Seattle for the last time ahead of her retirement, Storm went all out to honour their former player.
“Though Ogwumike spent almost her entire 15-year WNBA career with The Sparks, she had a two-year interlude at Seattle from 2024 to 2025. The 36-year-old forward then returned to Los Angeles last off-season, signing a one-year deal in free agency.
“Ahead of Sunday’s game, Storm players made their arrivals wearing Ogwumike’s No. 3 Seattle jersey. Ogwumike was also honored by the team in pre-season with a framed edition of her Seattle jersey and meeting with Storm owners on the court.
“She exits the league as an 11-time All-Star (including for the past five seasons), the 2012 Rookie of the Year and 2016 league MVP, after leading The Sparks to a WNBA championship.
“With The Sparks now eliminated from play-off contention, Ogwumike will have four more games before her WNBA career comes to an end. Her final game will be at home, as The Sparks take on Golden State Valkyries on September 24th.”
Sports247 reports further that Ogwumike made the best of her milestone night, as she led both sides in points scoring during the encounter, with a game high big double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds, while guiding The Sparks to a 90-74 away win.
It was a befitting exit for Ogwumike, whose retirement ends a decorated career as a starting forward and president of WNBA’s players union, for which she was a key part of negotiations in a new collective bargaining agreement that was reached with the league in March.
