Nneka Ogwumike to Rejoin Los Angeles Sparks

Nneka Ogwumike, the 10-time WNBA All-Star and 2016 league MVP, announced her return to the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, ending a two-season stint with the Seattle Storm and reuniting with the franchise where she spent the first 12 years of her career.

The 35-year-old forward, who was the No. 1 overall pick by the Sparks in 2012, shared a 45-second video on social media highlighting her highlights from Los Angeles. "It was always see you later, now I'll see you soon," she wrote in the post. Her sister, ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike, first reported the news on X, stating that the 2016 MVP "intends to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks" and is "looking forward to returning home." Official signing cannot occur until Saturday, when WNBA free agency opens, but sources confirmed the move is imminent.

Ogwumike's departure from the Sparks before the 2024 season came amid the team's struggles, as they had not reached the playoffs since 2020. In Seattle, she earned All-Star honors both years and averaged 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. Her exit from the Storm followed the firing of coach Noelle Quinn after a first-round playoff loss. Now back in...