The Essence of Excellence: Nneka Ogwumike on Nigerian culture, WNBA leadership, and Olympic pursuits [Video]

WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike, 33, wears many hats: Seattle Storm forward and Women’s National Basketball Players Association president to name a few. But whether she’s dropping 26 points in a game or championing gender equality, the Tomball, Texas native has made it a priority to bring consistent excellence and her own high standards to all her pursuits. It’s this unwavering dedication that has affectionately earned her the moniker “Dependable Nneka”.

Ogwumike delves into her Igbo-American culture, the weight of a name, how she juggles being both a player and president, why the Seattle Storm was the right fit for her, what missing out on the Rio and Tokyo Games taught her, and her aspirations to represent Nigeria at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Mary Omatiga: What’s your full Nigerian name and what does it mean?

Nneka Ogwumike: My full Nigerian name is Nnemkadi Chinwe Ogwumike. My first name basically means “My mother is …