Nneka Ogwumike just capped off her 15th and final WNBA season by snagging her second-straight, and fifth-overall, Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. Even though her swan-song season back with the Los Angeles Sparks didn’t quite end how she might’ve pictured it, Ogwumike stayed true to herself, both on and off the court.
Leaving Her Mark, Her Way
This award isn’t just about what Nneka did during games. We’re talking about a player who was the deservedly-celebrated president of the WNBPA, successfully guiding the players’ union through tough negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. Her impact on her fellow players clearly reached way beyond the whistles and buzzers of the hardwood. She was an ever-classy competitor who uplifted and embraced her teammates and even her opponents. You could see the genuine emotion pouring out on the court as the clock wound down in her final game, a real testament to how much others appreciated her care and kindness.
The Numbers Tell The Story
When it came to the votes for this award, Nneka Ogwumike was clearly the runaway favorite. She collected a massive 38 out of 74 votes. Rebecca Allen of the New York Liberty, who is also retiring, finished second with seven votes. Other players like Kelsey Mitchell from the Indiana Fever, Veronica Burton with the Golden State Valkyries, Michaela Onyenwere of the Washington Mystics, and Alysha Clark from the Dallas Wings all received three or more votes. But let’s be real, this was Nneka’s award to lose.
So, while Nneka Ogwumike steps away from the game, she does it with another well-deserved honor, proving that class and character always win. What a way to go out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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