Nneka Ogwumike, a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, has declared her retirement from the WNBA , effective at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
In 2026, Ogwumike established the Sparks’ all-time scoring record, earned her 11th selection to the WNBA All-Star Game — equaling Diana Taurasi for the second-highest number of selections in league history — and went on to score 11 points, surpassing Maya Moore as the all-time leading scorer in All-Star games, as per USA Today. Ogwumike, who was the top overall selection in the 2012 WNBA Draft, was honored as the Rookie of the Year. She achieved the WNBA MVP award and played a pivotal role in winning a championship with the Sparks in 2016. Additionally, she was acknowledged as one of the 25 greatest players in league history during the WNBA’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2021. As she readies herself to exit the Sparks, where she has dedicated 13 of her 15 WNBA seasons, Ogwumike is the franchise leader in scoring, field goals made, steals, and double-doubles.
As a WNBA champion, league MVP, All-Star, and president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, Ogwumike made this announcement regarding her career conclusion during an exclusive interview with Boardroom Talks. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in assisting the WNBA and its players’ union in negotiating a historic collective bargaining agreement that secured million-dollar contracts for players for the first time in the league’s history. In addition to her All-Star nominations, Ogwumike boasts eight All-WNBA selections and seven All-Defensive team recognitions.
