One of the WNBA’s all-time greats is ready to call it a career.
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike has announced she’ll be retiring from basketball following the 2026 season.
“I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level, and I am proud to say that I’m retiring from the WNBA,” Ogwumike said during an appearance on Broadroom Talks with Taylor Rooks.
The 36-year-old is a former No. 1 overall pick (2012) by the Los Angeles Sparks — and rookie of the year — and has put together one of the most decorated resumes during her time in the pros. Ogwumike is an 11-time all-star, eight-time all-WNBA member, seven-time all-defensive selection and four-time sportsmanship award winner.
She holds career averages of 16.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals on 53.7/37.1/84.0 per cent shooting splits through 471 regular-season games. The veteran forward ranks fourth all-time in the WNBA in scoring, third in rebounds and fifth in steals — three away from passing Alana Beard for fourth place.
“It feels good,” Ogwumike explained when asked about the decision to retire. “It feels good because I’m doing it on my terms, in a way that I’ve always kind of envisioned, even though I didn’t know what kind of player I could be in this league.”
Ogwumike was a core member of the Sparks’ 2016 championship run alongside Candace Parker, averaging 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.1 blocks while starting all nine games.
Her accolades also include being part of the WNBA’s 25th anniversary team, a EuroLeague title in 2017 and two FIBA World Cup gold medals with Team USA.
The Tomball, TX native left Los Angeles in 2024 after 12 seasons, joining the Seattle Storm for a brief two-year stint, but re-signed with the Sparks for the 2026 campaign.
Ogwumike is averaging 16.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 31.3 minutes, while shooting 50.9/38.7/84.8 per cent from the field, distance and free throw line. With star guard Kelsey Plum being traded to the Phoenix Mercury at the deadline, Ogwumike now leads the 12th-seeded Sparks in scoring, rebounding and minutes per game.
“I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away. 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,” said Ogwumike about retiring despite still being a productive player.
Los Angeles has lost five straight games as of Wednesday and are 7.5 games out of a playoff spot, leaving just over a month to go before Ogwumike’s legendary basketball career comes to an end.
“The game is evolving in so many different ways, and I just feel like I have poured as much as I could into this game, and the last bit is this year of playing. I’m proud of what I’ve done.”