LOS ANGELES, CA – The year of 2021 has been a challenging one for Los Angeles Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike.
She’s had to endure a bad knee injury forcing her to miss two months, a team that has underperformed while being hindered with injuries, being left off of Team USA during the Summer Olympics, became ineligible for the Nigerian team, and at one point shot just six free throws over 230 minutes played in an 8-game stretch post-Olympic break.
The term challenging might actually be an understatement for Ogwumike. That’s a ton of adversity for any athlete to endure in a year. As strong, positive, resilient, and professional as she’s always been, that adversity made her emotional during a press conference back in August where she talked about feeling “unvaluable” and “unworthy.”
It’s something you never want to hear anybody say, especially someone as talented and selfless as Nneka is. She always gives a maximum effort in everything she does on and off the court for her team, the league, and the community.
Recently, her value and talent was on full display as she made the list of the WNBA’s top-25 players in league history. In 25 years of the league’s existence, we have seen some of the greatest basketball players in the world, and that prestigious list filled with legends and trailblazers now includes Ogwumike.
A former WNBA champion and league MVP in 2016 while currently serving as the president of the WNBA Players’ Association, Ogwumike was the only player out of the 72 nominees who met all seven of the criteria to make the list. She etches her name next to other Sparks’ legends like Lisa Leslie and former teammate Candace Parker. Former Minnesota Lynx legend and current Sparks’ assistant coach Seimone Augustus made the list as well.
“I am so grateful to have my name listed amongst past and present legends that’ve pioneered the W over these amazing 25 years,” Ogwumike said in a statement. “As an athlete on the court, I’m proud of my career and hope to continue to leave a legacy of greatness. What I’ve been able to contribute to the game along with the phenomenal women of this league through generations is one of my greatest accomplishments. Being recognized for any impact I’ve made is a true honor.”
Center Amanda Zahui B. was ecstatic when she heard the news of Nneka making the top-25 list.
“I just texted her like, ‘I screamed!’ I was like: This is the sickest thing. I’m playing with one of the top 25 basketball players of all time,” Zahui B. said.
While it’s an amazing honor to be listed with so many legends and iconic players, the question remains does this ray of sunshine absolve some of the other negative things Nneka has had to endure this year?
It’s a difficult question to answer. On the one hand, Ogwumike gets the ultimate vindication as one of the best ever, yet why weren’t her accomplishments and resume not seemingly good enough to make Team USA women’s basketball team or get a few more foul calls in her favor?
Head coach/GM Derek Fisher commented on that aspect as well.
“It’s recognition of how great she’s been for over a decade,” Fisher said. “If anything, it confirms some of the things that we’ve questioned as to why one of the players that is regarded as one of the best players to ever play basketball can’t shoot free throws over the course of a 40 minute game.”
“I guarantee you if you look on that list and you stack up the free throw attempts for other current players on that list for over 200 minutes, they shot more than five free throws,” Fisher continued. “At the end of the day, Nneka feels honored to be on that list. In typical Nneka, she’s going to peak her head up and say ‘thank you’ and ‘it’s an honor’ and go back to work.”
This honor shouldn’t allow us to sweep the other issues under the rug. It’s the ultimate reminder that Ogwumike deserves more respect on her name.
For somebody who talked about being undervalued or overlooked, this is a tremendous distinction for Ogwumike that should transcend any of the other issues she’s been forced to deal with this season. It’s a major addition to her legacy which has been a positive and memorable one both as a player and person.
Not to mention, she’s only been playing for 10 years and still has quality years left in her career to add to this impressive resume, and display the value that has helped the Sparks and the WNBA ascend. Hopefully, we can all look back one day and really appreciate, respect, and acknowledge the accomplishments, leadership, and greatness of Nneka Ogwumike.
