LOS ANGELES -- California, here we come. Right back where we started from.
As always, ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike has the latest news on her older sister.
BREAKING: 10x WNBA All-Star and 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike intends to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks.
— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) April 10, 2026
She previously played 12 seasons in LA and “is looking forward to returning home.”
There was even a video ready to go for her return.
It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon… pic.twitter.com/Da2xCDv4ux
— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) April 10, 2026
Previously spending two years in Seattle playing for the Storm and after all the balloons, Nneka Ogwumike is a Sparks legend that is coming back home. As her sister mentioned in that tweet, she spent a dozen seasons in Los Angeles.
She was the first pick overall in the 2012 draft and has numerous accolades, including being a 10-time all-star, 8-time all-NBA team, 7-time all-defensive team, 2012 Rookie of the Year, and 2016 Most Valuable Player. And she had one of the most iconic moments in history when she made the game-winning basket to secure the 2016 WNBA title for the Sparks.
Ogwumike left the Sparks after the 2023 season to go to the Storm in Seattle. She never slowed down her play, averaging 17.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals in those two seasons she spent there.
With the Sparks seemingly losing Azurá Stevens to free agency, this is a huge pick-up for the team. Even in this stage of her career, Nneka Ogwumike can still affect the game in a big way.
And now she's going to do it again here in Los Angeles.