Los Angeles Sparks

FIBA has denied Los Angeles Sparks forward and 2016 WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike's petition to play for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Mechelle Voepel.

Andreas Zagklis, FIBA's Secretary General, wrote in a letter to Ogwumike that the decision was based on "the substantial involvement of the Player with the USA national team over more than 10 years."

According to Shelburne and Voepel, Ogwumike is looking into other avenues that would allow her to play. One such option is an application to the Court of Arbitration in Sport.

As the ESPN duo noted, the Nigerian Basketball Federation appealed to FIBA on behalf of Ogwumike and Atlanta Dream center Elizabeth Williams, who was also denied for the same reason as the Sparks star.

"We do tacitly believe there are undercurrents and motivation for such a decision which is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience," the Nigerian Basketball Federation wrote.

"It is also out rightly discriminatory because players of African descent are approved to play for other countries constantly but the reverse is not the case."

Ogwumike is a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria. Per Shelburne and Voepel, the International Olympic Committee only mandates that an athlete be nationalized for their competing country.

In addition, the IOC states athletes can represent a different country three years after competing for another country.

Ogwumike's last participation for Team USA was at the 2018 World Cup, which ended on Sept. 30, 2018. She won a gold medal for Team USA then and also at the 2014 World Cup.

However, she has never been invited to play for Team USA on the Olympic stage. The ex-Stanford star is easily one of the most accomplished basketball players to fall in that category.

The 31-year-old's resume includes the aforementioned MVP award as well as a 2016 WNBA championship. The six-time All-Star has made four All-WNBA teams in addition to five WNBA All-Defensive teams.

She also won the 2012 Rookie of the Year award after the Sparks took her first overall in the WNBA draft.

In addition, Ogwumike took home the WNBA's Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award twice.

This season, Ogwumike has been limited to five games due to a left knee sprain that ESPN's Alex Scarborough initially reported would keep her out four-to-six weeks from June 3. In five games, Ogwumike has averaged 16.4 points on 58.6 percent shooting and 7.0 rebounds.

As for the Olympics, Nigeria is scheduled to lead its tournament against Team USA on Tuesday, July 27.

Los Angeles Sparks head coach Derek Fisher voiced his frustration with USA Basketball's decision to omit Sparks star Nneka Ogwumike from the final roster for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Fisher told reporters Tuesday he and the organization were "pissed" about the news.

"The thing about Nneka is nothing has to be given to her," he said. "She earned it. She deserves it. That's the most frustrating and disappointing part. That's the part that makes you angry the most."

Sparks star Chiney Ogwumike echoed the sentiment, listing her older sister's accolades and noting the 2016 WNBA MVP was under the impression she was doing everything required to get selected:

The older Ogwumike has been limited to five games during the 2021 season and was diagnosed with a left knee sprain earlier in the month. However, Fisher said he was "calling BS" on that as a justification for leaving the 30-year-old out.

That line of reasoning also doesn't make sense because Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi made the cut. She hasn't played since May 21 because of a fractured sternum.

Over the past three seasons, the 39-year-old guard is also averaging 15.3 points on 37.2 percent shooting while putting up 4.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. That production is solid but not exceptional relative to others in the U.S. Olympic pool.

During the same span, Ogwumike is shooting 53.2 percent while averaging 15.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Devereaux Peters, who spent six seasons in the WNBA, provided a series of tweets explaining why this situation is a microcosm of what many believe to be larger issues within USA Basketball:

Ogwumike is 15th all-time in win shares (51.8) and a six-time All-Star, and she had one of the best seasons ever in 2016 en route to winning MVP. By the time she retires, the power forward will be thought of as one of the greatest players of her era.

The fact that she hasn't been positioned to earn a gold medal in the Olympics is a head-scratcher, and the sting of her snub this year is magnified because she may not get another crack at the Olympic team given her age.

WNBA veteran Seimone Augustus is reportedly retiring and will join the Los Angeles Sparks as an assistant coach, according to Rachel Galligan of Winsidr. 

Augustus spent the first 14 years of her career with the Minnesota Lynx, winning four titles alongside Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore and Rebekkah Brunson, before playing last season with the Sparks in 2020. 

Augustus, 37, was an eight-time All-Star in her career, averaging 15.4 points and 2.3 assists across her 15 seasons.

She was a first-team All-WNBA selection 2011 and a second-team All-WNBA pick five times. She was also the 2006 Rookie of the Year and 2011 Finals MVP, and her 6,005 career points rank ninth all-time.

She also won gold medals with Team USA at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics. 

Additionally, she played eight years overseas with Dynamo Kursk, WBC Dynamo, Galatasaray and Spartak Moscow Region, winning EuroCup titles in 2007 and 2009.

Without question, she's a future Hall of Famer. 

Augustus had re-signed with the Sparks in February, with head coach Derek Fisher saying in a statement she had "demonstrated her invaluable leadership experience last year."

"I'm really excited to continue my career in Los Angeles and build on what we started last season," Augustus added in February. "This organization is filled with young players and veterans ready to compete and grow as a team. I'm motivated to help lead this group into the next era of Sparks basketball."

She'll continue doing so, though reportedly from the bench. 

The Los Angeles Sparks acquired Gabby Williams from the Chicago Sky for rookie point guard Stephanie Watts and the rights to 2020 draft pick Leonie Fiebich.

"We're excited to bring Gabby Williams into the LA Sparks organization," said head coach and general manager Derek Fisher. "At just 24 years old, Gabby is a versatile player who still has the potential to make a major impact in this league. She fits into what we’re building in Los Angeles and we look forward to the future with her in a Sparks uniform."

The moves comes three days after the Sky placed Williams on the full-season suspended list. She will remain under that designation following her trade to Los Angeles.

Williams' suspension became a source of drama, with the 2018 first-round pick posting cryptic messages on social media:

The Chicago Sun-Times' Annie Costabile confirmed the Sky "weighed several trade options" involving Williams on the night of the 2021 WNBA draft. France also listed her on its squad for this year's Women's EuroBasket tournament in June.

That would've limited her availability for the Sky, who will carry only 11 players instead of hitting the 12-player maximum because of salary-cap restraints.

In a vacuum, parting ways with Williams was an understandable move. Suspending her for the season prior to finding a trade partner was bound to draw some scrutiny, though. 

Swooping in to land Williams for a relatively small return could prove to be a masterstroke for the Sparks.

Through her first three seasons, she's averaging 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals. The 5'11" forward thrived this year with Hungarian team Sopron Basket. She was named to the All-EuroLeague first team and took home the competition's Defensive Player of the Year award.

Between playing in the EuroLeague and the Hungarian championship, Williams shot 38.6 percent from beyond the arc, compared to 24.8 percent in the WNBA. If her strong shooting overseas can carry over in 2022, then Los Angeles might have struck gold.

Fisher will undoubtedly be paying close attention to the EuroBasket and potentially the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo if Williams represents France there as well.

The Sparks aren't rebuilding, with Kristi Toliver, Chiney Ogwumike and Nneka Ogwumike still on the roster. The departures of Candace Parker and Chelsea Gray may have shut the franchise's championship window for the time being nonetheless.

Perhaps Williams can be a part of the next Sparks squad that's knocking on the door of a fourth title.

There's been a shake-up in the first round of Thursday's WNBA draft. 

The Los Angeles Sparks announced Wednesday that they acquired the No. 7 overall pick and a 2022 second-round pick from the Dallas Wings in exchange for their 2022 first-rounder. 

“Our goal is to continue to build a roster that emphasizes versatility, athleticism, and players who can make plays for others and defend multiple positions,” Sparks general manager and head coach Derek Fisher said. “We believe that this draft has several players who can make an immediate impact and play a role for us. We’re excited to acquire the No. 7 pick and have two first-round picks heading into tomorrow’s draft.”

The Sparks also hold the No. 10 overall pick in the first round, along with two second-round picks (Nos. 22 and 28 overall) and a third-rounder (No. 34 overall).

The Sparks had a solid 2020 season, finishing 15-7 and reaching the postseason for the ninth straight time, though they lost to the Connecticut Sun in the second round of the playoffs.

With Candace Parker signing with her hometown Chicago Sky and Chelsea Gray signing with the Los Vegas Aces, the Sparks will build around Nneka Ogwumike and their incoming rookies. With small forward the team's primary need, Tennessee's Rennia Davis is a player to watch for if she drops to No. 7, while the Sparks could also target UCLA's Michaela Onyenwere, keeping a local favorite in Los Angeles. 

“Michaela is really intriguing,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo told Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register. “She could be one of—if not the best athlete—in the draft.”

As for the Wings, they have plenty of ammunition already atop the draft, holding the Nos. 1, 2 and 5 overall picks. Texas center Charli Collier is widely expected to be the top overall pick, though more intrigue will follow Dallas' selections at Nos. 2 and 5. 

Nneka Ogwumike is staying put.

According to Winsidr's Rachel Galligan, the forward has agreed to a multiyear deal to stay with the L.A. Sparks, who drafted her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 WNBA draft. 

The Stanford product, a six-time All-Star, was one of the top free agents in the league after averaging 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 26.4 minutes per game for the 15-7 Sparks, who fell in the second round of the 2020 postseason. 

Per Galligan, Ogwumike met with at least two teams before electing to return to the Sparks. That exploration of her options in free agency was "actively encouraged" by Sparks general manager and head coach Derek Fisher. 

However, the team did designate her as its core player, which means that they offered her a supermax qualifying offer worth $221,450, and her options were to sign that contract or negotiate a bigger deal (h/t Sabreena Merchant of SBNation). In doing so, L.A. retained her negotiating rights. 

The Sparks are dealing with a major free agency period, as Ogwumike and three more members of the starting lineup hit the market.

Candace Parker, the defending Defensive Player of the Year and No. 1 overall pick in 2008 who played with the Sparks for 13 seasons, is headed to the Chicago Sky, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. Guard Chelsea Gray, who posted 14.0 points and 5.3 assists in 2020, is also an unrestricted free agent, as is guard Brittney Sykes. 

The Los Angeles Sparks promoted Derek Fisher to the role of general manager and renewed his contract as their head coach Tuesday.

"I'm honored to be named general manager of the L.A. Sparks and continue my role as head coach," Fisher said in a statement. "This organization has a dynamic history, the most passionate fans in the WNBA, and an ownership group committed to success on and off the court. I'm thankful for the opportunity and excited to guide this team as we pursue a fourth WNBA title."

Fisher will be entering his third year on the sidelines for the Sparks, having compiled a 37-19 record.

Tuesday's move is a bit of a surprise because Los Angeles hasn't excelled under his watch. 

A third-place league finish in 2019 was overshadowed by a semifinals sweep at the hands of the Connecticut Sun. The final two games in the series were decided by 48 combined points, and Fisher benched Candace Parker for a majority of Game 3.

The Sparks finished third in the shortened 2020 season and suffered another double-digit defeat at the hands the Sun in the second round. Granted, the team was without its biggest offseason addition (Kristi Toliver) and saw two-time All-Star Chiney Ogwumike opt out.

Still, Fisher hasn't done much to quiet the skeptics who questioned whether he was the right fit on a team with championship ambitions after having gone 40-96 while in charge of the New York Knicks.

The 46-year-old now runs the front office at a pivotal time for the franchise. Parker, Ogwumike, Nneka Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray, Riquna Williams and Seimone Augustus are hitting free agency in 2021.

Unlike the NBA, the WNBA doesn't grant teams the ability to soar past the salary cap to retain its players. Even if it had the money to do so, Los Angeles simply couldn't give all six of those players what you'd expect to be market-level contracts.

Fisher and assistant general manager Michael Fischer will have to make some difficult decisions and may need to convince one or more of the Sparks' notable free agents to accept less money than she could earn elsewhere.

L.A. Sparks forward and ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike won't be on the court or on the airwaves on Election Day. She'll be working the polls. 

In an essay penned for Cosmopolitan, Ogwumike explained her decision as one rooted in privilege and necessity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as she learned that there would be an influx of in-person voting in her hometown: 

"I am privileged to work for a company that is allowing it, and I'm blessed to be able to take a day off work without losing pay. Second, because it's needed. In most election years, the older generation has predominantly manned the polling stations. This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting elderly people, it's important for us young, healthy folks to carry the torch."

Ogwumike opted out of the 2020 WNBA season, citing medical reasons, but worked alongside other Black athletes and artists including Alvin Kamara, CC Sabathia, Damian Lillard and Jaylen Brown for LeBron James' More than a Vote organization, which was formed with the goal of "combating systemic, racist voter suppression by educating, energizing and protecting our community." 

"I've also been so inspired by my WNBA colleagues this season, standing up for their beliefs both on and off the court, and this is my way to contribute to moving that needle for change," Ogwumike wrote.

Ogwumike urged readers to sign up to be poll workers themselves, in addition to ensuring that those around them vote on Tuesday. 

The first overall pick in the 2014 draft, Ogwumike will be working at Houston's Toyota Center on Election Day along with her three sisters, including fellow Sparks star Nneka. She wrote that her upcoming visit to the home of the NBA's Rockets will look different than it did when she had visited previously.

"The last time I was there, I remember hanging court-side with my big sis, watching James Harden and company fight for a victory," she wrote. "But now we are in the fight for our lives."

Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker was apparently good enough to be the WNBA's Defensive Player of the Year but not good enough to make either of the All-Defensive teams.

The WNBA announced the first and second teams Tuesday, and Parker was conspicuous by her absence:

ESPN's Mechelle Voepel noted this is the first time in WNBA or NBA history the Defensive Player of the Year was omitted from an All-Defensive squad.

The voting panels for DPOY and All-Defensive teams aren't the same, which helps partially explain the disparity. Members of the WNBA media vote for the former, while head coaches weigh in on the latter.

Parker was far from a unanimous DPOY selection. She earned 16 first-place votes to 11 for Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark and 10 for Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas. That coaches might have evaluated Parker's defensive contributions differently from the media panel isn't a total surprise.

Still, the 34-year-old averaged 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals while finishing third in defensive win shares (1.8), per Basketball Reference. Parker's 96.3 defensive rating was also her best since 2017, according to WNBA.com.

Depending on her official positional designation, to say Parker wasn't one of the four best defensive forwards or two best defensive centers beggars belief.

ESPN revealed its new national weekday radio lineup Tuesday, and Los Angeles Sparks power forward and ESPN basketball analyst Chiney Ogwumike is prominently featured as co-host of the upcoming Chiney and Golic Jr. show, which will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.  

Per Disrupt the Game, Ogwumike is the first Black woman and first WNBA player to co-host a national daily ESPN Radio show.

Ogwumike, who will be alongside ex-Notre Dame football player and ESPN analyst Mike Golic Jr., offered the following comments, per the ESPN press release.

"I cherish this moment and opportunity, now more than ever," Ogwumike said. "To co-host a daily, national platform is a reflection of ESPN’s understanding that voices like mine matter. I am thrilled to represent this rising generation alongside my new teammate Golic Jr., a close friend and exceptional talent."

ESPN provided a rundown of what fans should expect, as well as a preview of Ogwumike's contributions elsewhere:

"The duo—who regularly contribute to ESPN’s digital shows surrounding major events and the network’s additional studio programming—will engage with fans while discussing topics of the day and looking ahead at the night’s events. Ogwumike will also regularly appear on SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take, WNBA and NBA programming and provide analysis for men’s college basketball."

Ogwumike, who left Stanford six years ago as the Pac-12's all-time leading scorer, went first overall to the Connecticut Sun in the 2014 WNBA draft. The two-time All-Star has averaged 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds on 55.6 percent shooting for the Sun and Sparks, who dealt a first-round pick for Ogwumike in April 2019.

Ogwumike is sitting out the 2020 WNBA season for medical reasons, per a Sparks press release on June 26. She said the following regarding the decision in the presser:

"If you know me, you know that I have overcome some of the biggest challenges an athlete can face on the court. My previous injuries have given me strength and built character, but unfortunately they require me to be careful with my preparation leading up to a season. This year is unprecedented in many ways, therefore my team and I have come to the decision to be proactively cautious and put my body first.

"I am so lucky to have an organization that believes in me and supports me as a player and as a person. I fully believe this team will win a championship this year and I will be rooting for them every step along the way. As much as I want to compete and win with my sister, I know it is best for me to sit this one out. I will continue to use all my platforms to elevate and empower my teammates and fellow players in the WNBA as we continue to fight for our communities. This isn't goodbye, it's just see you later."

However, the ESPN Radio opportunity has appeared with Ogwumike sitting out the campaign, and she posted this on Twitter when the news became official:

Golic Jr. responded:

The new radio lineup will start on Monday, August 17, which is the first scheduled day of the 2020 NBA playoffs.

The Max Kellerman Show will precede Chiney and Golic Jr. from 2 to 4 p.m. ET, and Sarah Spain and Jason Fitz will follow the duo from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Spain and Fitz.