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Chiney Ogwumike              

First Overall Pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft & 2-Time WNBA All-Star; Vice President of WNBA Players Association; ESPN Basketball Analyst & Host

Chiney Ogwumike is a prominent figure in the world of women's basketball and sports media. The 6'4" forward of Nigerian descent has showcased her exceptional talent both on the court as a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) player for the Los Angeles Sparks and off the court as a versatile ESPN commentator.

A standout athlete, Ogwumike's basketball journey began at Stanford University, where she led the team to three Final Fours and distinguished herself as a three-time First Team All-American, two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year, and three-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Her achievements included being a four-time All-Pac 12 First Team member and a finalist for multiple national Player of the Year awards. The John R. Wooden Award winner also captured a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA 3x3 World Championships in August 2012 and earned a gold medal with the USA Basketball World University Games team in 2011.

As the top pick of the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Chiney and her sister Nneka made history, joining Peyton and Eli Manning as the only siblings ever selected number one overall in a professional sports league. In her debut year, Ogwumike was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team and was the WNBA Rookie of the Year. Recognized for her prowess on the court, she earned herself the title of WNBA All-Star twice. Despite a knee injury in 2015 that forced her to miss an entire season, she was named the 2016 AP Comeback Player of the Year. In 2018, she scored a career-high of 30 points in a game against the Seattle Storm.

A member of the Los Angeles Sparks, Ogwumike became the first Black woman and the first WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN in 2020. She was one of the first and youngest commentators ever to be named an NBA analyst for the network covering the NBA, WNBA, and a variety of sports while simultaneously playing in the WNBA. That same year, Forbes named her to their 30 under 30 list.

News


I’m a WNBA Player and I’m Spending Election Day Working the Polls. Here’s Why You Should Too
ESPN broadcaster and L.A. Sparks player Chiney Ogwumike explains why she’s heading home to Houston to do her part on November 3.
Broadcast Wasn’t Built for Chiney Ogwumike. That’s Not Stopping Her
At 28, the WNBA player is the first Black woman to host a national radio show on ESPN—and that’s only the beginning. She opens up to Glamour about her intense hustle, activism in the era of “athlete liberation,” and investing in women.
ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike ready to be heard as new radio show host
Speaking of the game — Ogwumike is not done with ball. She wants to win a championship with Nneka and the Sparks. For now, she said she'll enjoy one career ...
Chiney Ogwumike finds own way
Chiney Ogwumike didn't have to live up to the high standards her older sister set at Stanford. Instead, Chiney has carved out her own place on the basketball ...
Behind the scenes with Chiney Ogwumike, the WNBA's top draft pick ...
After acting calm all morning, Chiney Ogwumike hugs her mother tight. Emotion set in. “I'm nervous, I'm nervous,” she squealed in anticipation of Monday night's ...

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