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2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike announces she’s retiring after this season, her 15th in league
On Wednesday, 36-year-old forward Nneka Ogwumike announced her retirement following the 2026 season in an interview with Boardroom Talks, expressing she feels "very fulfilled with the 15 years" of her career.
Drafted out of Stanford in 2012, Ogwumike earned Rookie of the Year honors and spent 13 of her 15 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, helping them win the 2016 WNBA Title Championship before stints with Seattle Storm.
WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson credited Ogwumike for "extraordinary leadership" as union president, while former teammate Alana Beard called her an "elite competitor" who shaped the league.
In 34 games this season, Ogwumike continues performing at a high level, averaging nearly 17 points per game and earning her 11th All-Star Game selection in 2026.
Observers widely consider Ogwumike a future Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, with her legacy leaving unparalleled impact as she expressed "I feel very content with where I've left my career.