Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement from WNBA at season's end
12 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 11:10 AM
Last updated Aug 20, 2026
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike has announced her retirement from the WNBA at the conclusion of the 2026 season. A prominent figure in the league, Ogwumike is a former MVP, 11-time All-Star, and current president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. This season, she became the Sparks' all-time leading scorer and surpassed Maya Moore to become the all-time leading All-Star scorer. In a recent interview, Ogwumike expressed her gratitude and fulfillment with her career, stating she recognizes the right time to step away from the game.
- •Ogwumike has announced her retirement at the end of the 2026 season.
- •She holds the Sparks' all-time scoring record.
- •Ogwumike tied for second-most All-Star appearances in league history.
- •She surpassed Maya Moore as the all-time leading All-Star scorer.
- •She emphasized gratitude and fulfillment in her decision to retire.
- 11:10 AMYahoo Sports — Defined by grace and greatness, Nneka Ogwumike announces she will retire from the WNBA at the end of the season
- 7:05 AMYahoo Sports — WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issues statement about Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement
- 5:31 PMESPN — Sparks star Ogwumike retiring at end of season
- 4:42 PMYahoo Sports — Why former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike is retiring from basketball despite still producing at high-level for Sparks
- 4:34 PMYahoo Sports — WNBPA make statement as 11-time WNBA All-Star announces retirement for 2026 season
- 4:23 PMYahoo Sports — Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA champion and MVP, will retire after the 2026 season
- 4:20 PMYahoo Sports — Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement following 2026 season
- 4:16 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA veteran Nneka Owgumike announces retirement
"Nneka Ogwumike announced Wednesday that she is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons. She WNBA champion and league MVP released the news on “Boardroom Talks” that this season will be her last. “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike said in a statement. “For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything
"Nneka Ogwumike says she is retiring after this season, her 15th, putting an end to one of the most decorated careers in WNBA history. The 36-year-old eight-time All-WNBA forward, who is back with the Los Angeles Sparks this season after two years in Seattle, announced her intentions Wednesday in an interview with Boardroom Talks. “I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level,” Ogwumike said.
"With former MVP Nneka Ogwumike announcing her retirement following the 2026 WNBA season, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has spoken about her incredible career. Once she retires following the 2026 WNBA season, fans will be able to truly appreciate Nneka Ogwumike’s impact on women’s basketball as well as the league.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 11:10 AMDefined by grace and greatness, Nneka Ogwumike announces she will retire from the WNBA at the end of the season
Nneka Ogwumike has decided it’s time to end her playing days in the WNBA.
- Yahoo SportsAug 20, 2026, 7:05 AMWNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issues statement about Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement
With former MVP Nneka Ogwumike announcing her retirement following the 2026 WNBA season, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has spoken about her incredible career. Once she retires following the 2026 WNBA season, fans will be able to truly appreciate Nneka Ogwumike’s impact on women’s basketball as well as the league.
- ESPNAug 19, 2026, 5:31 PMSparks star Ogwumike retiring at end of season
Los Angeles Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike, an 11-time WNBA All-Star, announced Wednesday she will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:42 PMWhy former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike is retiring from basketball despite still producing at high-level for Sparks
The Hall of Fame awaits Ogwumike, an 11-time All-Star who captured MVP honors in 2015.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:34 PMWNBPA make statement as 11-time WNBA All-Star announces retirement for 2026 season
WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike has made a statement ahead of her planned retirement at the end of the 2026 season. Nneka Ogwumike is straight-up WNBA royalty.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:23 PMNneka Ogwumike, WNBA champion and MVP, will retire after the 2026 season
Ogwumike has made an impact on the court as an elite player and off the court as president of the WNBPA for the past decade.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:20 PMSparks forward Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement following 2026 season
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Sparks legend Nneka Ogwumike is retiring from the WNBA.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:16 PMWNBA veteran Nneka Owgumike announces retirement
Nneka Ogwumike announced Wednesday that she is retiring from the WNBA after 15 seasons. She WNBA champion and league MVP released the news on “Boardroom Talks” that this season will be her last. “I’ve learned there’s power in knowing when to walk away,” Ogwumike said in a statement. “For so long, that strength meant finding a way to keep pushing. Now, it means recognizing when you feel complete. I find myself grateful, fulfilled and at peace with everything this game has given me and everything
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:12 PMFormer WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement after the season
Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike announces retirement after the season
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 4:09 PM2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike announces she's retiring after this season, her 15th in league
Nneka Ogwumike says she is retiring after this season, her 15th, putting an end to one of the most decorated careers in WNBA history. The 36-year-old eight-time All-WNBA forward, who is back with the Los Angeles Sparks this season after two years in Seattle, announced her intentions Wednesday in an interview with Boardroom Talks. “I feel very fulfilled with the 15 years that I’ve been able to play and compete at such a high level,” Ogwumike said.
- Yahoo SportsAug 19, 2026, 3:40 PMLos Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike to retire at end of season
Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike's presence was felt on the court as off in her role at WNBPA president. She guided the players through two CBA negotiations.
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