The Seattle Storm continue to solidify their place as a competitive force in the WNBA’s Western Conference, largely thanks to veteran player Nneka Ogwumike. In recognition of her outstanding performance, Ogwumike was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Week for the period of June 16 to June 22.
During the week, Ogwumike led the Storm to three consecutive victories, showcasing her skills with an impressive average of 25.7 points, eight rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Her shooting accuracy was remarkable, hitting 71.4% of her field goals and 41.7% from beyond the arc while maintaining perfection at the free-throw line.
Ogwumike’s prowess was on full display as she contributed significantly in multiple games. She scored 26 points in a convincing 98-67 win against the Los Angeles Sparks, achieved a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds in a closely contested 90-83 victory over the Las Vegas Aces, and capped off the week with another 26-point performance, leading the Storm to an 86-79 win against the defending champion New York Liberty.
Beyond her scoring prowess, Ogwumike reached significant milestones this week, tying Sylvia Fowles for the longest streak of games with at least 25 points while shooting 65% or better, surpassing Tina Thompson on the all-time WNBA lists for both career field goals made and rebounds, moving into sixth place for career steals, and recording her 250th career block—joining an elite group of players with at least 600 steals and 250 blocks.
Now in her second season with the Storm, the nine-time All-Star and 2016 MVP has made a notable impact this year, averaging 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game. The Storm currently hold a record of 9-5, having won six of their last seven games, and they are in third place in the Western Conference, just 3.5 games behind the first-place Minnesota Lynx.
The upcoming game against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever promises to be another highlight for the Storm and Ogwumike, as they look to maintain their momentum and build on their successes this season.
Ogwumike’s performance not only underscores her individual talent but also serves as an inspiration for her teammates and fans, reinforcing the Storm’s position as a formidable contender in the league.