Arike Ogunbowale still starring
The former Notre Dame and DSHA standout is in contention for rookie of the year in the WNBA.
Half a country away, on a team that won't advance to the playoffs, in a position that is entirely new, Arike Ogunbowale could be lonely and little lost.
Instead she's in contention for the WNBA rookie of the year honors and ready to double up on her craft in a month.
The 22-year-old star who led Milwaukee Divine Savior Holy Angels to a Wisconsin state basketball championship and then graced the cover of Sports Illustrated after leading Notre Dame to an NCAA championship is thriving in the heart of Texas.
In 28 games this season, she leads the Dallas Wings in scoring (17.1 points), assists (2.7) and minutes (31.2).
On Sunday, Ogunbowale set a franchise record for 20-point games with her 13th of the season in a loss to the Atlanta Dream. It was Ogunbowale's sixth consecutive 20-point game, tying Alana Beard, Cappie Pondexter and Odyssey Sims for the longest streak as a WNBA rookie.
While Dallas has a record of 9-20, there's still been excitement in watching Ogunbowale give Napheesa Collier of
the Minnesota Lynx a good run for the rookie of the year honor in a season that ends Sept. 8.
But for Ogunbowale, the season that began in May has been a series of massive changes.
She played off the ball at Notre Dame. But when Dallas teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith gave birth to her first child in the offseason, the Wings moved Ogunbowale to point guard, and Dallas became one of the youngest teams in the WNBA led by a rookie at point.
“At point guard, you literally have to know everybody's position, not just your own,” said Ogunbowale. “You have to set the offense when you come up. You have to be a leader on the floor.”
There was inconsistency at times, understandably, but after marathon film sessions over the all-star break, Ogunbowale said she settled in to the role better. That helps, because she'd been getting a lot of attention from teams.
“That's also been tough as a point guard as a rookie; you're getting people's best defenders every night,” said Ogunbowale. “It's a lot. It's definitely a learning process.
“I've felt physically ready for the WNBA. This is been a lot more mental. These women have been around for a long time, they're super intelligent, super smart, they know exactly what to do.”
Eager to adapt, she turned to her coaches, teammates and her brother, Dare – a pro football player who watches every game – for constructive feedback.
“I'll do whatever I can to help the team, whatever position that is,” said Ogunbowale.
Having played in the Midwest her whole life, Ogunbowale is now adjusting to scorching temps in the summer season of Texas. That's also been a little bit of a challenge for the sweatshirt-loving Wisconsinite.
“I'm not one that's resistant to change,” said Ogunbowale. “Like with USA Basketball, I've been to a lot of different countries, so I've been to places that are totally different.
“The only thing about Texas, I'm not really a big fan of hot. I love the Midwest, I love the different weather, I love being able to wear a sweatshirt. And you can't wear that in Texas. It's scorching hot.
“It's humid, too, so you walk outside, you're sweating, you're hot. You literally have to take a shower every time you come back from outside. You take three, four showers a day.”
Thankfully, she's stayed connected with those closest to her while traveling to so many of the WNBA cities. An aunt in Minnesota, more family in Phoenix, a cousin who came to a game in Connecticut, an aunt in Washington. Even more turn out for the games in Chicago and Indiana.
It's helped ease the transition of living so far away.
“We don't charter in the WNBA. We did at Notre Dame, and right after the game we would be out,” said Ogunbowale. “A plus for not chartering is you leave the day after. I have family in every city so it's nice to be able to stay after the game and visit with family and not have to worry about leaving right after the game. I like that a lot.”
As Ogunbowale's team will not make the playoffs, she has made plans for the offseason. She'll play in the Turkish Women's Basketball League from late September until April, with about a month off before she comes back for her second WNBA season.
It's good money to play there, on a deal arranged by agent Erin Yates Kane of Octagon, and completes a year-round schedule for Ogunbowale. While she can solely concentrate on basketball for the first time, she also has learned that on off-days has to take off.
“On off days in college I would still probably shoot a little bit,” said Ogunbowale. “But on my off days here I rest because it's a lot of minutes, a lot of games, we're on the road a lot. I have to take care of my body more.”