Nneka Ogwumike

2016 WNBA MVP, WNBA Champion, and 1st overall pick of the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2012 WNBA Draft, Nnemkadi, nicknamed “Nneka”, Ogwumike’s mission is to inspire others to discover their greatness with an open heart, enthusiasm, integrity, courage, and compassion.

A proud first generation Nigerian-American and Texas native, Nneka is an advocate for equality, opportunity, women’s empowerment, and health and wellness. She is currently serving as President of the WNBA Players’ Association (WNBPA) and successfully led the group in its renegotiation of a groundbreaking WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. She is a six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time All-WNBA selection, three-time All-Defensive WNBA selection and was the 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Regarded as an athletic, versatile, and consistent performer, Nneka has excelled both domestically and internationally, winning a Euroleague Title with Dynamo Kursk (Russia), a WCBA Championship in China with Guangdong, and a Polish League Championship for CCC Polkowice . She has been prolific as a winner with Team USA, most recently as a member of its gold medal 2018 FIBA World Championship squad.

A graduate of Stanford University with a BA in Psychology, Nneka led the school to four consecutive Final Four appearances. The three-time Wade Trophy, Wooden Award finalist and former Pac-10 Player of the Year earned a gold medal with the USA Basketball World University Games team in 2011.

Hailing from one of sport’s most dynamic families, Nneka is the oldest of four sisters who all have played Division I basketball. With her sister Chiney's selection as the 1st overall pick by the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA Draft, the family made history, joining Peyton and Eli Manning as the only siblings ever selected number one overall in a professional sports league. Nneka and Chiney now play together on the LA Sparks.