Why Nneka Ogwumike's WNBA longevity still stands alone
At 36, Nneka Ogwumike remains one of the WNBA's most durable stars—recently setting the Sparks' all-time scoring record, earning an 11th All-Star selection, and becoming the league's all-time All-Star scoring leader. Her edge is meticulous recovery, from pilates and hyperbaric sessions to red light therapy.
Key Takeaways
- Nneka Ogwumike just tied for the second-most All-Star nods in WNBA history and passed Maya Moore as the All-Star Game's all-time leading scorer.
- The 36-year-old Sparks forward treats recovery as seriously as games, using classic pilates, water work, a hyperbaric chamber, and red light therapy.
- She returned to Los Angeles on a one-year deal after two seasons in Seattle and is averaging 17.1 points amid a 10-16 Sparks start.
- As WNBPA president, she ties on-court leadership to a player-first push as the league expands schedules, teams, and salaries.
What just happened for Nneka Ogwumike?
In roughly two weeks, Ogwumike stacked franchise and league history. She set the Los Angeles Sparks' all-time scoring record, earned her 11th All-Star berth—tying Diana Taurasi for second-most selections—and scored 11 points off the bench to surpass Maya Moore as the WNBA All-Star Game's career scoring leader, USA TODAY Sports reported.
She has made an All-Star Game in 11 of her seasons, trailing only Sue Bird's record 13 appearances. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said she has "run out of superlatives" for a player still breaking marks midway through the season.
How has recovery fueled her longevity?
Ogwumike is nearly as present in the training room as on the floor. Classic pilates, pool work, hyperbaric sessions, and red light therapy sit alongside other recovery tools she seeks out as new tech arrives.
"I'm always somebody who loves tapping into new technology," she told USA TODAY Sports, crediting a strong health and performance staff. That mindset traces to her 2012 Sparks rookie year, when veterans such as Candace Parker and Alana Beard modeled serious recovery habits she then copied. For more on how elite athletes extend careers, see our longevity and biohacking coverage.
The payoff shows in a resume few can match: Rookie of the Year, 2016 MVP and champion, eight-time All-WNBA, seven-time All-Defensive, and a place on the WNBA's 25 greatest players list in 2021—in a league where the average career lasts about 3.5 years.
Why does her longevity matter as the WNBA grows?
When she was drafted No. 1 overall out of Stanford in 2012, the average WNBA salary was about $72,000. In 2026 she earns $950,000 under a landmark CBA. The schedule has grown from 34 games to 44, with plans for 50 in 2027, while the league expands toward 15-plus teams and record All-Star crowds.
Halfway through 2026, the Sparks sit 10-16 in the West after injuries and inconsistency. Ogwumike has led them at 17.1 points per game in Kelsey Plum's absence, posting double-doubles in four of five games before the break. Off the floor, as WNBPA president, she says she wants growth to keep prioritizing player investment, resources, and safety—and hopes her legacy is that things were "greater" while she played.