Nneka Ogwumike has opened up about her return to the Los Angeles Sparks, referring to it as a ‘prodigal child’ journey. After playing a crucial part in the passing of the league’s new CBA, Ogwumike had a limited time to decide where she would spend the 2026 WNBA season. She ultimately decided to return to the Sparks following two campaigns with the Seattle Storm.
“I think it’s obvious that I have more years behind me than in front of me,” Ogwumike said. “So at this stage in my career, it made the most sense for me to come back to LA.”
Ogwumike’s Aims for the Sparks
Ogwumike, 35, is not considering her return a farewell tour. She was convinced by the on- and off-court changes the Sparks organisation made for the future during its rebuild. Ogwumike has her sights set on leading the team back to playoff contention for the first time in six years.
“I want to be great. It’s not enough to just be healthy. I want to win,” Ogwumike said.
“Of course I have a lot of history here, but I appreciate the changes they are making. There is a palpable surge. I feel strongly like we have building blocks for the standard we want to see here in Los Angeles,” she added.
Feeling at Home in Los Angeles
The Sparks’ 2012 No. 1 overall pick spoke about her re-debut in the season opener against the Las Vegas Aces. Although LA didn’t secure the win, Ogwumike said she felt comfortable being back in the arena where she spent the first 12 years of her career.
“I was feeling at home,” she said after the game. “It’s hard to ever feel nervous in that environment.”
Plum’s Praise for Returning Star
Kelsey Plum is also happy to see Ogwumike back in Los Angeles. Plum called her new teammate the “prodigal child”.
“She is the most respected person in our league for a reason. She is just steady. The boat got rocky a lot, and she was always steady,” Plum added. “You can’t be that consistent as a player or as a leader if you are not that consistent as a person.”
Focus on Work Ethic and Discipline
Ogwumike’s immediate focus is helping the Sparks apply consistency to their season, as they currently sit at 1-3. She’s already helped LA claim a championship in her first tenure.
“We are as good as our work ethic and our discipline. We have a lot of people who work hard, and when you have hard workers, that ceiling can be pushed up. I look forward to seeing the fruits of that labor over the course of the season,” Ogwumike added.
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