Nneka Ogwumike

Nneka Ogwumike, the 2016 WNBA MVP and champion, emerged as a trailblazer from the 2012 WNBA Draft, selected first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks. A proud first-generation Nigerian-American and Texas native, Ogwumike is an unwavering advocate for equality, women's empowerment, and health and wellness. Now with the Seattle Storm, she also serves as President of the WNBA Players’ Association (WNBPA), having played a key role in renegotiating the groundbreaking WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2020.

With an impressive basketball resume, Ogwumike boasts 8 WNBA All-Star appearances, 5 All-WNBA selections, and five All-Defensive WNBA nods. Recognized for her athleticism and versatility, she has also excelled internationally, securing titles with Dynamo Kursk in Russia, Guangdong in China, and CCC Polkowice in Poland. Additionally, she contributed to Team USA's gold medal victory in the 2018 FIBA World Championship.

A Stanford University graduate with a BA in psychology, Ogwumike led the school to four consecutive Final Four appearances. As a 3-time Wade Trophy, Wooden Award finalist, and former Pac-10 Player of the Year, she also clinched a gold medal with the USA Basketball World University Games team in 2011.

Hailing from a dynamic sports family, Ogwumike is the eldest of four sisters, all of whom played Division I basketball. With her sister Chiney's selection as the first overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, the sisters made history, joining Peyton and Eli Manning as the only siblings ever selected number one overall in a professional sports league.