Former MVP Nneka Ogwumike to retire at end of season

Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, a 2016 WNBA MVP, 11-time All-Star and president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, announced that she will retire at the end of the season.

Ogwumike, 36, currently ranks fourth in league history in points (7,879) and third in rebounds (3,565) after playing 13 of her 15 WNBA seasons with the Sparks.

Off the court, she has served as the president of the WNBA players union since 2016, steering it through a pair of collective bargaining agreement negotiations.

"I've learned there's power in knowing when to walk away," Ogwumike told Boardroom Talks. "For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled, and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything I've poured into it."

Ogwumike is averaging 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds.in 34 games (all starts) this season with Los Angeles. She was selected by the Sparks with the top overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft and went on to win Rookie of the Year honors.

Her MVP season in 2016 saw her average 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game over 33 games, fueling the Sparks to the WNBA championship.

Ogwumike spent the initial 12 seasons of her career in Los Angeles before joining the Seattle Storm for two seasons (2024-25). She returned to the Sparks on a one-year deal.

"Playing in the W for 15 seasons has given me far more than I ever imagined," Ogwumike said. "I've been challenged as a competitor, shaped as a leader, and exposed to unforgettable people and experiences. I can stand proudly as the player I've become, and even more proud of the woman I am becoming."

Los Angeles (12-23) has lost five in a row and resides on the brink of postseason elimination with nine games left in the season.

--Field Level Media