Chiney Ogwumike facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chiney Ogwumike

Power forward
Personal information
Born	(1992-03-21) March 21, 1992 (age 33) Tomball, Texas, U.S.
High school	Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas)
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
College	Stanford (2010–2014)
NBA Draft	2014 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Connecticut Sun
Pro career	2014–present
League	WNBA
Career history
2014–2018	Connecticut Sun
2014–2015	Famila Schio
2016	Henan Phoenix
2019, 2021–2023	Los Angeles Sparks
Career highlights and awards
2× WNBA All-Star (2014, 2018) WNBA Rookie of the Year (2014) WNBA All-Rookie Team (2014) Women's Basketball Academic All-American of the Year (2014) John R. Wooden Award (2014) 2x All-American USBWA (2013, 2014) 2x First-team All-American – AP (2013, 2014) Second-team All-American – AP (2012) 3x WBCA Coaches' All-American (2012–2014) 3x Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2012–2014) 2x Pac-12 Player of the Year (2013, 2014) Pac-12 Tournament MOP (2013) 4x Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2011–2014) 4x All-Pac 12 (2011–2014) Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2011) Pac-12 Freshman of the Year (2011) McDonald's All-American (2010) Gatorade National Player of the Year (2010)
Medals Women's Basketball Representing  United States U18 and U19 Gold 2010 U18 Colorado Springs Team Competition World University Games Gold 2011 Shenzhen Team Competition Basketball 3x3 World Championship Gold 2012 Athens Women's

Chiney Ogwumike (born March 21, 1992) is an American professional basketball player. She last played for the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Chiney is also well-known for her work as a sports analyst for ESPN.

In 2020, she made history as the first Black woman and the first WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN. She was also one of the youngest people to become an NBA analyst for the network. Chiney covered NBA, WNBA, and other sports while still playing basketball. She studied International relations at Stanford University.

Early Life and High School Basketball

Chiney Ogwumike was born in Tomball, Texas. She went to Cypress Fairbanks High School in Cypress, Texas. There, she helped her team win the 5A State Championship twice. This happened during her sophomore and senior years.

Chiney was recognized as a top high school player. She was named a WBCA and McDonald's All-American. In the 2010 WBCA High School All-America Game, she scored 24 points. She also earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for her team.

College Career at Stanford

Chiney chose to play college basketball at Stanford University. She joined her older sister, Nneka Ogwumike, there.

Chiney had an amazing college career. By the time she finished in 2014, she was the all-time leading scorer in Pac-12 Conference history. This record included both male and female players.

Professional Basketball Journey

Chiney Ogwumike was the very first player picked in the 2014 WNBA draft. She was chosen by the Connecticut Sun. In her first year, she became a starter. She averaged 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Chiney was also named a WNBA All-Star in 2014. Her sister, Nneka, was also selected. They became the first sisters ever to play in a WNBA All-Star game together. Chiney also won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2014.

After her first WNBA season, Chiney played for an Italian club called Famila Schio. She played well, but then she got a knee injury. This injury caused her to miss the entire 2015 WNBA season.

Chiney returned healthy for the 2016 season. She played 33 games for the Connecticut Sun. She even scored a career-high 26 points in one game. After the WNBA season, she played in China for Henan Phoenix. She had an incredible game where she scored 56 points! However, she later injured her Achilles. This injury meant she had to miss the 2017 WNBA season.

In May 2018, Chiney made her comeback to the WNBA. She played her first game in two years for the Sun. She was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, which was her second time being an All-Star.

In April 2019, Chiney was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks. This move reunited her with her sister Nneka. The Sparks made it to the playoffs that year.

Chiney decided to sit out the 2020 WNBA season. This was due to health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. She re-signed with the Sparks in 2021. Chiney has not officially retired from basketball. However, she did not play in the 2024 WNBA season. She is now focusing on her successful career as a sports broadcaster.

Playing for Team USA

Chiney was chosen to be on the USA Basketball U18 team. This team played in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Chiney was a key player, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. The USA team won all their games and took home the gold medal.

Because she played so well, Chiney was moved up to the World University Games team. This was for the 2011 World University Games in China. Her sister, Nneka, was also on this team. Chiney helped the USA win all six games and earn another gold medal. She also won a gold medal in 3x3 basketball at the 2012 FIBA 3x3 World Championship.

Chiney's ESPN Career

In May 2018, Chiney signed a big contract with ESPN. She became a full-time basketball analyst. In August 2020, she made history again. She became the first Black woman and the first WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN.

Chiney is one of the youngest people to be a full-time NBA analyst for ESPN. She does this while also playing in the WNBA. She co-hosted the ESPN radio show Chiney & Golic Jr.. She also joined the daily TV show NBA Today as an analyst.

Career Statistics

College

WNBA

Regular Season

Playoffs

Awards and Recognition

Chiney has received many awards throughout her career:

• 2010—WBCA High School Coaches' All-America Team
• 2011—Pac-10 Freshman of the Year
• 2013—Pac-12 Player of the Year
• 2013—Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year
• 2014—John R. Wooden Award
• 2014—Pac-12 Player of the Year
• 2014—Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year
• 2014—WNBA Rookie of the Year
• 2014, 2018—WNBA All-Star

Off the Court

Personal Life

Chiney Ogwumike is Catholic. Her older sister, Nneka Ogwumike, is also a professional basketball player. Nneka currently plays for the Seattle Storm.

In November 2023, Chiney married Nigerian boxer, Raphael Akpejiori.

Advocacy and Community Work

In 2014, Chiney and her sister Nneka helped raise money for UNICEF. This money supported programs that help girls in Nigeria get an education and feel stronger. This was after many schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram.

In October 2023, Chiney became a member of the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States. This council helps connect the U.S. with people of African descent around the world.

See Also

In Spanish: Chiney Ogwumike para niños

• List of NCAA Division I women's basketball players with 2,500 points and 1,000 rebounds