Nneka Ogwumike announced Wednesday that she will retire from the WNBA after the 2026 season, bringing one of the league’s most accomplished and influential careers to a close.
Ogwumike, 36, is a 15 year veteran of the WNBA and spent 13 of them with the Los Angeles Sparks. The former No. 1 overall draft pick won Rookie of the Year in 2012 before earning league MVP honors and helping Los Angeles win the WNBA championship in 2016. She has also been selected to 11 All-Star teams and eight All-WNBA teams.
Ogwumike said she is leaving the league feeling “grateful, fulfilled, and at peace” with her career. She plans to finish the season with the Sparks before stepping away from the WNBA.
Her impact has also extended well beyond the court. Ogwumike has served as president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association since 2016, making her a central figure in labor negotiations and the push for better pay, benefits and working conditions for players.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert praised Ogwumike’s role in the league’s growth, calling her a champion, MVP and one of the most accomplished players in league history.
Ogwumike ranks fourth in WNBA history with 7,879 career points and third with 3,565 rebounds as of Wednesday. She spent her first 12 seasons with Los Angeles, played for the Seattle Storm in 2024 and 2025, then returned to the Sparks for the 2026 season.
Her retirement will take effect after the season, giving the Sparks and the rest of the WNBA several more weeks to celebrate a career that has shaped the league both on and off the court.
