Nigerian-born forward Nneka Ogwumike had a player sanctuary inside the Los Angeles Sparks' new practice facility named after her following her final WNBA appearance. The 36-year-old, drafted first overall by the Sparks in 2012, announced in August that she would retire after the season.
Ogwumike scored 17 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out five assists in the closing game, a 76-75 home loss to the Golden State Valkyries. The defeat condemned the Sparks to a sixth straight season without a playoff berth. Her final outing produced the 134th double-double of her career.
The ceremony followed a 15-year run that included a WNBA championship, the 2016 MVP award, 11 All-Star selections and eight All-WNBA honours. Ogwumike returned to Los Angeles this season after two years with the Seattle Storm.
"This is goodbye, not forever, but I'm always gonna be your LA Spark," Ogwumike told supporters after the game. She added that she wished she could have delivered a win but was grateful to her teammates for helping her through the season.
Earlier in her career, Ogwumike helped the United States win the 2014 FIBA World Championship, beating Spain 77-64 in the final. Three appeals to switch nationality and represent Nigeria were rejected, keeping her in the American set-up throughout her professional life.
