Nneka Ogwumike retires; Sparks to name practice facility after her

sportsSep 25, 2026431,858

Nneka Ogwumike retired after a 15-season WNBA career, finishing her final game with a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 76-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries. The Sparks closed the season 16-28. Los Angeles announced they will name the player sanctuary at their new training facility the Nneka Ogwumike Player Sanctuary, a surprise that brought Ogwumike to tears when it was revealed and prompted a halftime commemoration. Ogwumike delivered a poised farewell speech that included the line, "we cannot ignore the needs of the majority for the noise of the minority," while pointing to fans in the arena. In her final game she had 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal by halftime, and teammates intentionally gave her help in the fourth quarter as a tribute. Team president Stacy Johns confirmed the facility naming. The honor ensures Ogwumike’s name will be tied to the Sparks’ new training space and to the players who will use that sanctuary going forward.

WNBA

@wnba.com

One of one 👑 For 15 seasons, Nneka Ogwumike helped shape the WNBA as a star, a champion and a leader. From growing the game to making sure it’s in good hands until her very last dance, we are forever grateful. Thank you for it all.

101615d ago

Jill Stevens5

Though her last game was a loss in the final seconds, Nneka’s Sparks dominated the Valks the entire game. Well played, Madame President.

coolv500.bsky.social3

Thank you Nneka for the elegance and grace through the years as a true role model for MY daughter and others. You are a true Champion 🏆 . Your legacy speaks volumes!! 💐 (YOUR flowers)😊

carmaleech.bsky.social2

WHOA what an absolute legend 15 seasons of pure greatness thank you Nneka

Quoting this

Kate Scott14

How lucky are we to exist during her lifetime? Thank you for EVERYTHING, Nneka. Onward. 🫶

Pam3

Thank you, Nneka!!! 🩷 #WNBA #thirty #wbb

CaDarius Washington3

One of the all-time greats. Salute Madam President. Heck of a career. 🫡

Magnus Lehnsherr

@i-magnus.bsky.social

Most regular-season wins by a #WNBA 2nd-year franchise: • Golden State #Valkyries (2026): 32-12 (.727 win %) Highest regular-season win % by a 2nd-year franchise: • Houston Comets (1998): 27-3 (.900 win %) For your consideration: Natalie Nakase, Coach of the Year. #GSV

27914d ago

Just Jenny 867-53091

I love she’s so short & in the WNBA!

Mars Firestein1

obvious vs oblivious: yes. hope she wins. my only question to her would be: why did she trade away kate martin?

Jackie Powell

@classicjpow.bsky.social

Nneka Ogwumike's speech after her last game is worth your time. Especially this: "I believe in what this league represents. Something that I always like to say is we cannot ignore the needs of the majority for the noise of the minority. And this [points to the fans in the arena] is the majority."

5315d ago

Shameka ❤️🏀

@shameka23.bsky.social

Who else is balling their eyes out watching this Nneka Ogwumike retirement tribute? 😭😭😭 #WNBA

5515d ago

Convalescing Millennial1

I cried at the end of the Sun game! It’s big feels night in the W. This is the story the media keeps sleeping on. The W builds community. We all love each other and root for greatness. It’s why they can have a successful, effective union. They work together and we love to see it.

Connecticut Sun news and notes

@ctsunwnbanews.bsky.social

One of my media friends sent me this picture which he said was 45 minutes after the final buzzer last night. The Sun will be missed. #WNBA

3815d ago

Quoting this

WRMS Traffic & Weather Reporter on the 2’s3

Really hate this for the Connecticut fan base. I hope when expansion opens again, New England gets first dibs.

Richard Cohen

@richardcohen.bsky.social

The regular season is over which means The List is here. All the impending 2027 WNBA free agents, all their statuses, and all the terms explained (months before the league will tell you anything). #WNBA herhoopstats.substack.com/p/2027-wnba-...

3314d ago

Meghan L. Hall

@itsmeghanlhall.bsky.social

And that's how it ends for the Sparks and Nneka Ogwumike, in a somewhat heart-breaking way. Miss a FT. Next shot counts (a 3-ball), but not enough. Golden State gets the No. 2 seed with a 76-75 win.

3715d ago

Steve Jones

@stevejones20.bsky.social

The amount of help the Golden State Valkyries have thrown at Nneka Ogwumike in this fourth quarter is a fitting salute to a true legend.

4315d ago

Storm Chasers

@wnbastormchasers.bsky.social

The LA Sparks are naming their upcoming practice facility after Nneka Ogwumike. It's still tough to believe Nneka has now retired from the #WNBA. Congratulations on one hell of a career!

3015d ago

becky hammon’s crucifix

@real-point-god.bsky.social

A vigil is to be kept for Nneka Ogwumike by all people throughout their generations. -Clear mandate re: watching the Sparks + Nneka play basketball this evening, found in Exodus 12:42. #WNBA

2215d ago

Black.Metronome 🇧🇧 🇧🇲

@blackmetronome.blacksky.app

This is probably one of the more exciting opening round brackets that I can recall. Every team has serious firepower and if you don't bring your A game it will be over quickly. The guard play on each team will be really fun. #wnba

1714d ago

Loomin' Onion™1

Dallas seems kind of fucked unless Paige goes totally nuclear but other than that, yeah.

Black.Metronome 🇧🇧 🇧🇲1

The top 3 players in this tournament to me are A'ja, Jackie, and Olivia.

Kristen & John | Attack the Baseline Podcast

@atbpod.bsky.social

Your 2026 #WNBA stat leaders! + Rhyne Howard Steals per game 2.3 & A'ja Wilson Blocks per game 1.9

1214d ago

Briana

@bri-elyse1.bsky.social

She really is Madam President. Cause idk how she's giving a speech right now. I'd be a crying mess right now lol. Nneka is so poised. Im going to miss her 😢 #WNBA

1915d ago

Justin Russo

@flybyknite.bsky.social

The Los Angeles Sparks are going to name the player sanctuary at their new training facility in honor of Nneka Ogwumike. Ogwumike was brought to tears when the announcement was made.

1215d ago

JD Alsobrook

@jdalsobrook.bsky.social

You can't say you made decisions to win now when you traded away your best player at the beginning of the season....that player that is in the playoffs #wnba #thew #sky

1214d ago

Briana8

And signing injured players contributed to the fact that they were not healthy. Dijonai and Sloot were still recovering when they were signed. Azura and Skylar have lingering injuries and require facilities for recovery they never received. The Sky weren't designed to win now.

Roomis Igloomis1

And has won eastern player of the week three weeks in a row, and is FIBA champion, and...

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Nneka Ogwumike retires; Sparks to name practice facility after her

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