2016 WNBA MVP and 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike is returning to the Los Angeles Sparks after spending the past two seasons with the Seattle Storm. The move was first reported by her sister, ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike, and later confirmed by Nneka on social media.

Ogwumike began her WNBA career with the Sparks, where she played for 12 seasons. During that time, she won a championship in 2016 and earned eight of her 10 All-Star selections before departing for Seattle.

Over the past two seasons with the Storm—just the second team of her accomplished career—Ogwumike remained highly productive. In 2025, she averaged 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Seattle finished seventh in the standings and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces.

Her exit from Seattle had been widely anticipated following the dismissal of head coach Noelle Quinn after the team’s early playoff exit. Quinn, who led the Storm for five seasons, has since taken a new role with the Breeze Basketball Club in Unrivaled. Seattle replaced her with Sonia Raman in October.

A 6-foot-2 forward, Ogwumike has been one of the league’s most dominant players since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2012 draft. Along with her MVP award in 2016, she has earned 10 All-Star selections, eight All-WNBA honors, and seven All-Defensive Team nods, while helping lead the Sparks to their third championship.

Now 35, the former Stanford University standout has also made an impact off the court. As president of the WNBA players’ association, she recently helped guide the league to a new collective bargaining agreement.