The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
All-Star invitation a bonus on Ogwumike’s comeback tour
UNCASVILLE — Surprises were few and far between when the WNBA announced the names of the 22 players selected to play in the July 28 WNBA All-Star Game.
Nineteen of the 22 all-stars have been taken with the top three picks in the WNBA Draft including 13 No. 1 overall selections. However, for one of those high-profile performers, getting the good news call from WNBA President Lisa Borders was a moment that Connecticut Sun forward Chiney Ogwumike won’t soon forget.
Ogwumike, selected first overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft, enjoyed immediate success. She made history as part of the only sister duo selected to play in the same WNBA All-Star Game in 2014 joining older sister Nneka of the Los Angeles Sparks and would be named the WNBA Rookie of the Year. However, two serious injuries cost her the entire 2015 and 2017 seasons.
Returning to a team that made a surprising run to the playoffs in 2017, Ogwumike figured she would work her way slowly back into the mix. Yet, Ogwumike is averaging a team-leading 14.8 points per game, is second with an average of 7.5 rebounds per game and with 581 total minutes played as she is the Sun’s lone all-star representative.
“I didn’t expect any of this (to happen) this year,” Ogwumike said. “I expected to come in and do my small little role. I think based on how the season has gone, I have had to step into a bigger role. When Lisa Borders called me, I was like, ‘what?’ The Achilles (injury which sidelined her for the entire 2017 season), being here in the offseason by myself, barely being home, committing myself with the broadcasting, it’s been a lot. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices and it is really cool when hard work pays off.”
Ogwumike will find out on Thursday whether she will be on the team captained by Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks or on the squad where Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics will be the team captain.
Five former UConn stars are set to play in the game. Sue Bird will take part in her record 11th WNBA AllStar Game. Diana Taurasi will be making her ninth appearance. Maya Moore, the MVP of the last two WNBA All-Star Games, and Tina Charles have been selected to play in the all-star game for the sixth time while Breanna Stewart, the WNBA’s leading scorer, is preparing for her second WNBA All-Star Game appearance.
U.S. NATIONAL TEAM TO PLAY EXHIBITION GAME IN BRIDGEPORT
The U.S. women’s national team will face Canada in a Sept. 8 exhibition game at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. It will be one of three international friendlies the U.S. team will play before leaving for Europe to continue preparations for the FIBA World Cup.
It was also announced that Connecticut Sun guard Jasmine Thomas was added to the U.S. national team pool bringing the total of players with ties to either UConn or the Connecticut Sun to 14. Current UConn stars Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson join former Huskies Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Stefanie Dolson, Tiffany Hayes, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi and Morgan Tuck in the player pool. Tuck and Thomas are joined by Ogwumike, Layshia Clarendon and Courtney Williams among the 34 players in contention to make the 12-member U.S. team. Former UConn star Kia Nurse is a mainstay of Canada’s national team.
Canada will also meet Japan on Sept. 7 at Webster Bank Arena.