Sparks happy to re-sign `top priority' Ogwumike
LOS ANGELES >> Seven-time All-Star and 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike has re-signed with the Sparks, the team announced Friday.
The 6-foot-2 forward, who was an unrestricted free agent, returns for her 12th season in the league, all in Los Angeles after the Sparks drafted her No. 1 overall in 2012.
“I started in Los Angeles as a wide-eyed rookie hopeful to last and to lead in a city and with a franchise defined by its legends and legacy,” said Ogwumike said via a press release. “Over the last 11 years, with champions and with challenges, my veteran vision remains clear and committed to what it truly means to play in this league, in THIS city, for 12 seasons, repping that iconic purple & gold.”
Ogwumike, 32, also serves as president of the WNBPA, representing the league's 144 players in contract negotiations, grievances, and social actions.
The Sparks front office and coaching staff were steadfast in their pursuit of re-signing Ogwumike, which came two days after her younger sister Chiney re-signed with the Sparks.
“Re-signing Nneka was the top priority of 2023 free agency for the Los Angeles Sparks,” Sparks CAO and GM Karen Bryant said in the team's statement. “Nneka is deeply ingrained in the rich history of the Sparks and is both an elite basketball player and a trailblazer for our league and beyond. We're thrilled to continue our partnership with her as she continues adding to her storied legacy.”
“Nneka is an extraordinary person and teammate,” Sparks head coach Curt Miller added. “Not only is she a top-level leader for the Sparks, but she is a leader for the entire league. Her work ethic and dedication to her craft is exceptional. She's coming off another All-WNBA season and continues to add levels to her game. I couldn't be more excited to coach Nneka.”
The former WNBA Rookie of the Year was a key member of the Sparks' 2016 WNBA championship team. Since winning that title, she has remained one of the most efficient players in the league.
Last season, Ogwumike started and played in 34 of 36 games, averaging 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 34.1 minutes per game.
Ogwumike also cemented her legacy in Los Angeles last season by eclipsing 5,000 career points, joining Sparks legends Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker as the only players in franchise history to do so. She was also named to the `The W25' recognizing her as one of the 25 greatest players ever to play in the league.
On the surface, the pure raw statistics with Ducks goaltender John Gibson don't look good this season — 23 losses in 40 games played, a goals-against average of 4.01 and save percentage of .900.
But there is a different way of looking at it. The workload Gibson has had this season is practically historical.
The Ducks sent out a note during the game against Washington on Thursday, citing the fact that Gibson's 21st save against the Capitals (making it 1,323 for the season) was the most by any NHL goaltender in his first 40 games of the season since the legendary Jacques Plante had 1,396 for the New York Rangers in 1963-64. Plante was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.
“Gibby was lights out. Was at the top of his game,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said via text message Friday.
Gibson has made 40 or more saves in a game 10 times this season, including two games with 50-plus stops. He had 41 saves in the 4-2 win against the Capitals.
If anything, his workload has not slowed in February. He made a club-record 53 saves against Pittsburgh on Feb. 10 and 51 saves at Florida 10 days later, becoming the third goaltender in NHL history with multiple 50-saves games in a single
John Gibson has made the most saves by any NHL goalie in his first 40games of the season since 1964.
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month, the Ducks said.
The last time it was accomplished was 60 years ago, by the iconic Gump Worsley with the New York Rangers, three times, in January 1963. Al Rollins did it twice in the 1955-56 season (in October) with the Chicago Blackhawks.
These accomplishments by the likes of Plante, Worsley and Rollins were established when it was a completely different game and weren't approached or matched for decades until this season,
While it is a bit of an indictment of how the team is playing in front of Gibson, it's also a testament to how well he is playing on a struggling team even though the numbers don't necessarily illustrate it.
Ice chips
Defenseman John Klingberg, who has missed the past two games with a lower-body injury, will be a game-time decision against Carolina today, Eakins said . ...
Troy Terry will wear the “A” in Adam Henrique's absence. “He's earned it,” Eakins said. Henrique, who was injured Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, is week to week with a lower-body injury . ...
Eakins praised the shotblocking ability of Nathan Beaulieu against the Capitals, as well as Simon Benoit and Sam Carrick stepping up in weight class in their fights against Tom Wilson and Dylan McIlrath, respectively. “Benoit and Carrick fighting two very tough individuals really showed the mental toughness and resilience of our team,” Eakins said.