Aug 19 (Reuters) – Eleven-times WNBA All-Star and players’ union president Nneka Ogwumike will retire at the end of this season, she announced on Wednesday, bringing a close to a 15-season career.
The 36-year-old Los Angeles Sparks forward revealed her decision during an interview with Boardroom Talks.
“I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level,” Ogwumike said. “Even though I didn’t know what kind of player that I could be in this league, I never thought that I would play this long.”
Ogwumike was drafted first overall by the Sparks in 2012 and helped lead them to a championship in 2016, earning league MVP honors that same year.
She spent the first 12 seasons of her career with the Sparks and enjoyed a two-year stint with the Seattle Storm before returning to Los Angeles to finish her career.
“It’s a little bit my body. I still feel very good, but I also feel the comfort of slowing down,” Ogwumike said. “I just feel content. I feel very content with where I’ve left my career, with 15 years under my belt. I feel very content about what we were able to achieve coming into this season, where we see the league today.”
Ogwumike is averaging 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season.
“Nneka will retire at the end of this season leaving the WNBA much better than she found it — a testament not only to the player she has been, but to the person and leader she is,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.
“I have been fortunate to work closely with Nneka over the years and have been inspired by her passion and unwavering commitment to the players.
“It has been a privilege to watch her remarkable journey, and while there is still more basketball to be played this season, we congratulate her on an extraordinary career and look forward to celebrating her in the months ahead.”
(Reporting by Nicole Fernandes in TorontoEditing by Toby Davis)
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