Nneka Ogwumike - The Sage
BASKETBALL - FORWARD - WNBA - LA SPARKS
ARCHETYPE: THE SAGE
Day 93/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Nneka Ogwumike is a six-time WNBA All-Star and one of the best and most efficient players in the WNBA since being the No. 1 draft pick in 2012. But she’s been balling like a champ for much longer than that.
In high school, Ogwumike led her team to a state championship in Texas, landing offers from many top tier basketball programs. S
he signed with Stanford, where she helped lead the team to the Final Four for four consecutive years. Ogwumike also set Stanford’s record for rebounds in a single game, nabbing 23 boards (and 30 points) against Oregon in 2010. She finished her career as a three-time All-American and the second all-time leading scorer for the Cardinal.
After dominating throughout her college career, the Sparks drafted Ogwumike No. 1 in 2012, and she was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team, and won Rookie of the Year honors.
Then came the championships.
In 2013, Ogwumike’s overseas team, CCC Polkowice, won the Polish league championship.
In 2016, Ogwumike and the Sparks won the WNBA title, with Ogwumike selected as MVP of the season that year.
In 2017, Ogwumike won a Euroleague championship with the Russian team, Dynamo Kursk.
As a player, Ogwumike’s game is not flashy… she’s just efficient. Of the 144 active players in the WNBA, Ogwumike ranks second in career player efficiency rating (25.83) and fifth all-time in WNBA history. Ogwumike is a phenomenal finisher who works her butt off to get the ball and takes smart shots. Sometimes, being great is really that simple.
Here’s a rundown of her titles, accolades, and awards:
WNBA champion (2016)
WNBA MVP (2016)
WNBA Rookie of the Year (2012)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2012)
6× WNBA All-Star (2013–2015, 2017–2019)
All-WNBA First Team (2016)
3× All-WNBA Second Team (2014, 2017, 2019)
4× WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2015–2017, 2019)
WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018)
2× Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2019, 2020)
2017 Euroleague champion
Polish National League champion (2013)
Character Archetype: The Sage
While one-time MVP and six-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike is one of the most efficient scorers and best players in the WNBA, that’s not even the half of what makes her special.
Ogwumike lives up to the reputation of a Stanford grad: studious, analytical, and crazy smart. She parses information that helps her make excellent decisions—whether the right cut on the basketball court, or how to get the desired outcome in a negotiation.
In 2016, Ogwumike was elected President of the WNBPA, the players association of the WNBA, where she was heavily involved in the landmark collective bargaining agreement, which markedly improved salaries, maternity leave, and accommodations for players. She also helped in the formation of the WNBA's 2020 bubble season, and in unifying players’ voices around a core message after the police killing of George Floyd.
She’s a leader on the court, in the locker room, and in the board room. One of the smartest and best in the game right now. Which game, exactly? Whatever one she’s playing.