The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Sun star Ogwumike humbled by All-Star selection
UNCASVILLE — Even as Chiney Ogwumike went through the grueling offseason workouts, the doubts remained.
Ogwumike missed 69 of 102 games since being named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year following the 2014 season. While she missed the entire 2017 season after needing her Achilles tendon surgically repaired, the emergence of second-year pros Jonquel Jones and Courtney Williams helped the Connecticut Sun make a surprising run to the WNBA playoffs.
Ogwumike is most certainly a glass-is-half-full type of person and a player who has maintained an optimistic outlook even after missing two complete
WNBA seasons due to serious injury.
Still, Ogwumike wondered how quickly she would find her rhythm once the season began.
What she didn’t anticipate was leading a talented and deep Connecticut Sun squad in points scored and rebounds, playing the second-most minutes heading into the all-star break.
After a somewhat quiet nine-point, four-rebound effort in the Sun’s season opener, Ogwumike promptly ripped off 13 straight double-digit scoring games with four double-doubles helping the Sun post wins over each of the three teams that finished ahead of them in the 2017 standings.
Another surprise came when Ogwumike was selected as the Sun’s lone representative in Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game (3:30 p.m., ABC) which is being hosted by the defending WNBA champion Minnesota
Lynx.
“It is different,” said Ogwumike, who is averaging 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds while ranking second in the WNBA with a 60.7 field-goal percentage and 70 offensive rebounds. “In your head, you want to do a lot but our team is a team that spreads the wealth so for me just to be considered an all-star, it surpassed every expectation of mine. I thought if I come back on this team and can give them a couple good minutes and prove I can still play at this level, that’s great. To get the all-star nod on top of that, it is sort of unbelievable.”
Ogwumike has garnered headlines for her work as a basketball analyst on ESPN, even as she puts together a remarkable comeback season. She is fully expecting that her bosses at ESPN will put her to work during Saturday’s game.
“I already heard from emails and conversations that are happening, how can we get a player who is a broadcaster to broadcast
while they are playing?” Ogwumike said. “I think they are going to do some funny stuff.”
When Ogwumike played in her first WNBA All-Star Game as a rookie in 2014, she made some history when she joined older sister Nneka to become the first sister duo to play in the same all-star contest. They were on opposite teams four years ago. The Ogwumike sisters were set to make more history by being on the same team and would have played together for the first time since Chiney’s sophomore season at Stanford. However, an illness will keep Nneka from playing in the game.
Even though Nneka, a star for the Los Angeles Sparks, won’t suit up, she is certainly throwing all of her support to her younger sister. Chiney followed her at Stanford and, like Nneka, became a No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick.
“We didn’t even know it was a possibility until Nneka was a senior at Stanford,” Ogwumike said. “We
always came in with the mindset that we are students first. Basketball is great, it has opened doors. We are going to play as hard as we can and whatever happens happens.
“I was the one going on the draft sites (leading up to the 2012 WNBA Draft). Nnkea was saying I probably won’t play professional basketball and I said I’m hearing you are going to be a No. 1 pick. The fact that this whole journey has happened for both of us, it has surpassed our wildest dreams. I think as kids we never saw this happening.”
Saturday’s festivities will feature six former UConn stars. Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi will play for the team captained by Elena Delle Donne while Team Parker will feature Tina Charles and Maya Moore. Also, Renee Montgomery will take part in the 3-point shooting contest at halftime.