Nigerian-American basketball star Arike Ogunbowale made Nigeria proud at the Women’s National Basketball Association, WNBA, All-Star Game on Sunday in Phoenix, USA.
Ogunbowale, 27, led her team, the WNBA All-Stars, to a close victory over Team USA with a record-breaking performance.
Despite not scoring in the first half, Ogunbowale came alive in the second half, scoring an incredible 34 points, the most ever in a single WNBA All-Star Game. This included a staggering 21 points in just one quarter, another record for the competition.
Ogunbowale’s impressive display earned her the Most Valuable Player, MVP, award for the second time in her career. She also earned the honour at the 2021 All-Star Game, which also featured a Team WNBA vs. Team USA.
This feat has solidified her status as a WNBA legend. She becomes the fourth player in WNBA history to earn multiple All-Star Game MVP trophies, joining Maya Moore (2018, 2017, 2015), Swin Cash (2011, 2009) and Lisa Leslie (2002, 2001, 1999).
Speaking after the game, Ogunbowale credited her team and coach for her turnaround. “I wasn’t expecting to be called out,” she said, referring to a halftime pep talk from coach Cheryl Miller. “She just told me to take a deep breath and play my game. I guess you guys saw what happened.”
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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