The Los Angeles Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike, who shot 20 times in a game in July without a miss, was named 2016 WNBA MVP on Tuesday.
The fourth-year forward from Tomball was drafted first out of Stanford in 2012. She increased her shooting percentage from the floor by 14% from the 2015 season and added a 3-point shot, going 16 of 26 in 33 games compared with one for 12 in 23 games from beyond the arc in 2015.
She also crashed the boards with a fierce intensity, grabbing 77 offensive rebounds this season (sixth best in the league) and a third-best 222 defensive rebounds. Her efficiency rating, according to Basketball Reference, is the ninth-highest in league history.
“As far as goals go, this honor has always been on a list I wrote down in the back of some journal years ago,” said Ogwumike in a statement. “Typically, when you have achievements in mind, you prepare yourself and set standards to take a step-by-step approach to reach the top. Looking back, however, my 2016 season didn't feel quite like that. Many may not understand when I say that this just kind of happened ... things fell into place. Please, don't let me leave you misunderstood! Dreams don't sprout overnight and triumph doesn't grow from trees. My 2016 season is a reflection of years of being a student of the game, hours of grueling practice, memories, favorable and unfavorable; of great teammates and heartbreaking losses on the court. My hindsight is 20/20 and what lays ahead of me may not be visible, but I'm certain is bright. As the WNBA's 2016 MVP, I want to say thank you, I'm humbly honored, and can't wait for what's next.”
Congratulations @Nnemkadi30 on being named the 2016 @WNBA Most Valuable Player! #GoSparks #WNBAMVP
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 27, 2016
Ogwumike helped lead the Sparks to 26-8 record in the regular season. They begin the playoff semifinals against Chicago on Wednesday.
“This is a well deserved honor and award for Nneka,” said Sparks coach Brian Agler. “She has had a season of extreme efficiency for the ages and Nneka has worked extremely hard to expand her game. Not only has she been dominate at the offensive end, but also she has developed that defensive stopper mentality and is one of our key team leaders – and will be for the WNBA in the future."
