Seattle Storm Add 2nd Star, Sign Nneka Ogwumike
The former WNBA MVP and 8-time All-Star joins Seattle.
The wait is finally over. Chiney Ogwumike on NBA Today (ESPN) dropped a bombshell on the WNBA World and announced that her older sister and former WNBA MVP (2016), Nneka Ogwumike, has signed a deal with the Seattle Storm. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN later added that it’s a 1-year deal.
It is the 2nd major move the Storm have made this off-season after signing Skylar Diggins-Smith last week. Eight-time WNBA All-Star Nneka Ogwumike joins All-Stars Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Ezi Magbegor potentially turning Seattle into the league’s next “Super Team”. If nothing else, it’s at least a strong core that should return the Storm to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2023.
Ogwumike averaged 19.1 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG last season. Her best statistical year since winning the MVP in 2016. She has a career average of 16.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, and a very efficient 54.5% FG shooting over her 12-year career. Nneka will turn 34 in July.
Per the Storm’s Press Release, Seattle’s front office is very excited to add Nneka to the squad.
“The chance to coach Nneka, a veteran in our league with championship experience, is such an incredible opportunity for our team,” said Storm Head Coach Noelle Quinn. “Nneka is an efficient scorer, a strong rebounder, an elite defender, and is one of the most versatile players in the W. We know she will immediately elevate our play this season.”
“Nneka is one of the most impactful players in the history of our league, not only her achievements on the court but also as an agent of positive change across the WNBA,” said Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “I know Seattle and our community share our enthusiasm that Nneka is coming to the Storm.”
Nneka gave her statement directly to the fans and the city.
“I’m stepping into this season of change with you, Seattle,” said Ogwumike. “With my teammates, coaches, staff, organization, ownership, and, most importantly, the fans. Every part of me is grateful and ready for this opportunity to continue to be great and sustain legacy. You can’t calm this Storm.”
Ogwumike was also on the NBA Today show speaking live with her sister Chiney. She gave a summary of why she chose to join the Storm. She signed with Seattle because of the legacy of the franchise. She also credited the coaching staff, Noelle Quinn, Ebony Hoffman, and Pokey Chatman. Nneka mentioned Pokey had heavily recruited her in college (and likely) heavily recruited her again to Seattle; after Chatman took on an Assistant General Manager position before this off-season.
Nneka also mentioned the excitement of playing with Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Ezi Magbegor and mentioned that they already have a group text chat. Lastly, she credited Seattle’s ownership group for investing in the players and specifically cited the brand-new practice facility that will be up and running prior to the 2024 season as a key reason for going to the Storm.
She hinted about the stability of the Storm franchise being important to her. The Los Angeles Sparks have had a lot of turnover with both players and coaches in recent seasons. They also frequently get displaced out of their homecourt at Crypto.com Arena (Staples Center) in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Kings (NHL).
I will write up a second article for Paid Subscribers to give my take on the addition and what this means for the Storm. This will include how they project against the rest of the league. And more! Keep an eye out for that either later tonight or early tomorrow morning.
This is tremendous news for all the Storm faithful! I just found this out as I cancelled my DirecTV subscription and was looking to catch up on Storm news tonight (this morning). We landed 2 big WNBA stars who should help make us a complete team again. Besides being a great 4, Nneka should be very helpful for our young 4/5's like Dulcy Fankam Menjiadeu and Ezi Magbegor and even Jordan Horston although she's more of a wing (3) player, and SDS gives us a legit PG Superstar at the 1 which really solidifies our guards!
Well, this is certainly very encouraging. I was afraid the Storm weren't going to pull this off for a lot of reasons I've already discussed here, but I have to give a lot of credit to the front office for putting this team together. What I like most about signing Nneka and SDS, besides the obvious improvement of the Storm from last season, is that it's the first time since 2/1/2023 that it feels like the future of the WNBA is not just NY and LV playing each other in the finals.