Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike Named Western Conference Player of the Week
Nine-time All-Star and former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike is adding to her list of awards as a member of the Seattle Storm. Credit: John Mac
Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time as a member of the team following a historic three-game run from June 17-22.
It’s Ogwumike’s 15th player of the week award of her career, but first since joining the Storm in 2024. Ogwumike led Seattle to three straight wins against the Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty, averaging 25.7 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.3 steals in those contests. She shot 35 for 49 from the field (71.4 percent) and 5 for 12 from 3-point range (41.7 percent) while sinking both of her free throws.
Ogwumike tied Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles for the most consecutive games (3) with at least 25 points and a 65 percent field goal percentage. Two of those games were also double-doubles for the nine-time All-Star and 2016 WNBA MVP.
There is very little Ogwumike hasn’t done well this season. She’s only scored fewer than 10 points in two of Seattle’s 14 games and hasn’t logged fewer than five rebounds. Even at 34 years old, Ogwumike is on pace to log her fifth straight season playing at least 31 minutes per game.
“I tell her every day. I tell her behind the scenes. I tell her in the training room. I tell her in the weight room. I tell her when she’s doing pilates, I tell her when she’s on the court. I tell her when I’m walking into the gym. I tell her when I see her at the house. I came here to play with Nneka,” Storm guard Skylar Diggins said of Ogwumike following Seattle’s win over the Liberty on Sunday. “What she does day in and day out is special, and you shouldn’t take it for granted. I love her, and it’s deeper than just basketball. Who she is as a person is solid; it’s a lot of stuff she can’t say to defend herself, and it’s a lot of s— that she takes on for our whole league. I stand in front of Nneka every day.”
“She looks like she’s still in her prime and continuing to get better and better, and I’m inspired by her personally, professionally.”
Following the first return of All-Star fan voting, Ogwumike is 18th in the league with 141,596 votes. Right above her was teammate Gabby Williams, who had 144,257 votes. Diggins was third among Seattle players in 26th (77,596 votes).
The Storm (9-5) are back in action on Tuesday, June 24, when they host Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever (6-7) for the first time this season at Climate Pledge Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PST.
