Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike wins WNBA MVP

Posted September 27, 2016 7:00 am

By DOUG FEINBERG

FILE - In this June 26, 2016, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, left, shoots over Connecticut Sun forward Camille Little during the second half of an WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles. Ogwumike is the WNBA Most Valuable Player, the league announced, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Nneka Ogwumike shot her way to the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award for the first time.

The league announced Tuesday that the Los Angeles Sparks forward received 31 of the 39 first-place votes from a national media panel. She shot a league-best 66.5 percent from the field, the second highest mark ever. She averaged a career-best 19.7 points and 9.1 rebounds to help Los Angeles secure the second best record in the league.

"It's amazing, this is definitely a league with a lot of talented players," Ogwumike said. "It's funny because you strive for doing something like this. You don't think of that as being your goal as you're playing, but it's an honor to receive it."

Ogwumike also set a WNBA record when she made 23 consecutive field goals during one stretch, including going 12 for 12 in a game against Dallas.

"This season has come together quite nicely and this award is reflective of that," Ogwumike said.

New York's Tina Charles finished second and got the other eight first-place votes. She was followed by Minnesota's Maya Moore and Chicago's Elena Delle Donne in the voting.

Ogwumike is the eighth individual to win the award over the past eight seasons.

"It's definitely a testament to the talent this league has," she said. "It's always exciting to see different people win it. Everyone plays differently each year. To see players grow and mature and see the competition grow is definitely something to look forward to."

Ogwumike is the third Sparks player to receive the award, joining three-time recipient Lisa Leslie and two-time winner Candace Parker.

Ogwumike, who was also the AP Player of the Year, laughed when asked about the promise her sister Chiney made on Twitter that they'd get tattoos if Nneka won the MVP.

"She did not run that by me before she tweeted that," the MVP said. "Maybe one of those temporary tattoos would be cool."

She will receive the award Wednesday before the Sparks play the first game of the league's semifinal series against Chicago.

"You always want to relish the moment and it's going to be very special," she said of getting the award in front of the Sparks fans. "We have some serious diehard fans who are loyal and incredibly supportive to share that with them."

FILE - In this June 26, 2016, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, left, shoots over Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones during the second half of an WNBA basketball game in Los Angeles. Ogwumike is the WNBA Most Valuable Player, the league announced Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File0 The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2015, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks' Nneka Ogwumike reacts after making a basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Washington Mystics, in Los Angeles. Ogwumike is the WNBA Most Valuable Player, the league announced Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.