TORRANCE — In her 12th season in the WNBA, Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike did not expect to be putting up career highs in points, rebounds, and assists.
The 8-time All-Star, who celebrated her 33rd birthday on Sunday, July 2, knew what she could bring to the Sparks. However, she did not anticipate that would be nearly averaging a double-double with career-high 19.9 points and 9.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in her first 16 games this season. Ogwumike, who prides herself on efficiency, is shooting 52% from the field and 89.8 from the free throw line.
“To be honest, I feel like I’m doing more than I thought I was going to do,” Ogwumike said before flashing a big smile and letting out a hearty laugh after Sparks practice at the team’s training facility at El Camino College in Torrance Tuesday. “I’m blessed to be healthy and to be out here at 33 and still being productive. I pride my game on efficiency and being productive so I’m very grateful to be out here doing that and I want to be able to empty the tank every time in that way to help my team.”
Sparks 8x All-Star Nneka Ogwumike on exceeding her own expectations this season. This is Year 12 for @nnekaogwumike. pic.twitter.com/xSoXDPe0Ui
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 4, 2023
It’s safe to say Ogwumike, who was recently selected as an All-Star starter for the second consecutive year, is exceeding her own expectations but she can’t exactly pinpoint why. But the Sparks team captain can say she is doing better a job this season of managing how much of herself she gives to the team and organization, which has allowed her to concentrate on being the best basketball player she can be.
“I think it’s a lot better,” Ogwumike said. “It’s a lot lighter. I think that we have a lot of great pieces that we’ve added that doesn’t put a strain on the aspects of my role that extended outside of me just playing and being a teammate so I feel a lot better about it.”
Meanwhile, Sparks…
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