Born to Nigerian parents but raised in the United States, Chiney Ogwumike became one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball before retiring in early 2024. She is now making waves as a respected media personality and a passionate advocate for African sports communities.
Born on March 21, 1992, in Tomball, Texas, to Nigerian parents of Igbo descent, the basketballer grew up in a Nigerian-American household. As a basketballer, Ogwumike was a force on the court owing to her impressive stats and skilful playing.
After the Connecticut Sun selected her as the number one overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, she quickly made her mark on the league. Her rookie season was spectacular, earning her the WNBA Rookie of the Year honours. With a playing career that spans close to a decade, she made notable stops at the Connecticut Sun and later the Los Angeles Sparks. She was also named a WNBA All-Star in 2014 and 2018, respectively.
In 2020, she made history as the first Black woman and the first Women’s National Basketball Association player to host a national radio show for ESPN. She also became one of the youngest commentators to be named an NBA analyst for the network, covering everything from the NBA to the WNBA and other sports while actively playing in the WNBA.
However, after dealing with a series of injuries, including an Achilles injury that limited her playing time in 2023, Ogwumike decided to retire from the WNBA in 2024. Her focus has shifted toward broadcasting and advocacy for African sports communities.
Chiney Ogwumike breaks grounds in media
Since 2017, Ogwumike has been a key part of ESPN’s sports coverage. She has appeared as an analyst and on-air talent for shows such as NBA Today, SportsCenter, and First Take. Fans love her mainly because of her ability to break down complex basketball plays and engaging on-screen presence.
That has made her recent transition from athlete to media seamless as the ex-basketballer has continued to speak openly about her experiences as a Nigerian-American and her desire to help African sports communities globally.
Ogwumike’s advocacy for Africans is a commitment to giving back
Now that she has stepped away from playing professional basketball, she is committed to giving back to African communities. She uses various initiatives to empower African youths, particularly young women, using sports and education.
Chiney Ogwumike has been actively involved in programs such as “Access to Success,” which helps support young people in Nigeria by providing them access to sports and educational resources. Additionally, she is vocal about the importance of investing in African talent and advocates for more opportunities for Africans to compete globally and for greater exposure of African athletes to international platforms.
Her advocacy for African empowerment also extends to cultural initiatives, where she has used her media presence to celebrate African pride and promote the achievements of Africans globally.
In October 2023, Chiney Ogwumike was inaugurated as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States.
