Nigerian-born Nneka Ogwumike has been named the most valuable player of women’s basketball league, WNBA.
The Sparks forward won the prestigious award after dominating a poll of sportswriters with 31 of 39 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Tina Charles of the New York Liberty.
Ogwumike, 26, averaged 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 18 double-doubles and shot a league-best 66.5% from the field as the Sparks achieved a 26-8 regular-season record and the No. 2 seeding in the playoffs.
The 6-foot-2 power forward, who was the first overall pick in the 2012 draft and rookie of the year, becomes only the third Sparks player to claim the honour, and she’s full of pride.
“I think this year feels different now, now that the regular season is over I’ve kind of looked back and been like, ‘Oh wow’ … it’s been a good year,” Ogwumike said after a Sparks practice last week.
Though Ogwumike wowed severally this season, her most impressive game came on June 11, when she went an astonishing 12-for-12 from the field and seven-for-seven from the line on her way to 32 points against the Dallas Wings.
Sparks Coach Brian Agler, says her evolution into the best basketball player in the world is all down to great work ethic, LA Times writes.
“Her great work ethic and her expanding her game, gaining more experience, I think she just really elevated her play,” Agler said.
“And she’s taken it upon herself to elevate her game and carry this team at times.”
Ogwumike’s feat highlights the growing influence of Nigerian athletes in the United States and around the world.
Earlier this year, Nigerian-born Tobi Amusan earned C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Year honours while Golden State’s Andre Iguodala was last season’s playoff MVP.
The Sparks forward won the prestigious award after dominating a poll of sportswriters with 31 of 39 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Tina Charles of the New York Liberty.
Ogwumike, 26, averaged 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 18 double-doubles and shot a league-best 66.5% from the field as the Sparks achieved a 26-8 regular-season record and the No. 2 seeding in the playoffs.
The 6-foot-2 power forward, who was the first overall pick in the 2012 draft and rookie of the year, becomes only the third Sparks player to claim the honour, and she’s full of pride.
“I think this year feels different now, now that the regular season is over I’ve kind of looked back and been like, ‘Oh wow’ … it’s been a good year,” Ogwumike said after a Sparks practice last week.
Though Ogwumike wowed severally this season, her most impressive game came on June 11, when she went an astonishing 12-for-12 from the field and seven-for-seven from the line on her way to 32 points against the Dallas Wings.
Sparks Coach Brian Agler, says her evolution into the best basketball player in the world is all down to great work ethic, LA Times writes.
“Her great work ethic and her expanding her game, gaining more experience, I think she just really elevated her play,” Agler said.
“And she’s taken it upon herself to elevate her game and carry this team at times.”
Ogwumike’s feat highlights the growing influence of Nigerian athletes in the United States and around the world.
Earlier this year, Nigerian-born Tobi Amusan earned C-USA Female Track Athlete of the Year honours while Golden State’s Andre Iguodala was last season’s playoff MVP.
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