Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike became the WNBA All-Star Game all-time leading scorer on July 25, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago.
Ogwumike scored 11 points off the bench, surpassing Maya Moore for the scoring crown in her 11th career All-Star appearance.
The 36-year-old veteran is now tied with Diana Taurasi for the second-most All-Star selections in league history, behind Sue Bird's 13.
Team Spoon defeated Team Coop 129-120 in the exhibition match celebrating the league's 30th anniversary.
Jonquel Jones of the New York Liberty earned All-Star Game MVP honors with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists for Team Coop.
Ogwumike's milestone adds to a historic stretch in her 14th professional season.
Within the last two weeks, she also broke the Sparks' all-time franchise scoring record.
The veteran credited recovery technology and medical staff for her longevity in a league where average careers span just 3.5 years.
“You have all these different tools,” Ogwumike said, according to USA TODAY Sports.
“I’m always somebody who loves tapping into new technology, and then it also doesn’t hurt to have a phenomenal H&P staff, so they help me really get ready for whatever’s next.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts praised Ogwumike's continuous record-breaking performances.
“I’ve run out of superlatives for Nneka, and we’re only halfway through the season. She’s unbelievable,” Roberts said.
“And I knew that record was within sight.”
Roberts added, “I feel like after every game, there's something that she's broken record-wise, whether it's in the league or for the organization.
And I'm honored and happy to be a part of her journey through this league and her legacy, it's an honor to coach her.
She's one of one.”
Drafted first overall out of Stanford in 2012, Ogwumike learned veteran habits early alongside teammates Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver, and Alana Beard.
She won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and led LA to a WNBA championship as regular season MVP in 2016.
“They just really showed me what it means to be a pro,” Ogwumike said of her former teammates.
“And to have longevity, you have to take your recovery seriously, and they loved what they did. They loved the preparation of it all.”
Adopting their routines helped her build a resume featuring eight All-WNBA and seven All-Defensive team honors.
“I guess it just kind of stuck with me,” she said.
Despite the Sparks struggling to a 10-16 record at the All-Star break amidst injuries, Ogwumike leads the roster averaging 17.1 points per game.
Beyond on-court production, she serves as president of the WNBPA, helping navigate major player contract expansions as the league scales up.
“We have more games, we have more teams, we have more fans,” Ogwumike said.
“We have a lot of these players who are coming in with such a strong fanbase and bridging that gap between the collegiate level and the pro level.
And then, there’s a lot more investment.”
Reflecting on player resources and facility improvements since entering the league, she noted major advances.
“I think, to be honest, a lot of the accommodations that we get now, the facility standards, staffing standards,” Ogwumike said, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
“I didn't expect all these things to be possible. They're amazing.”
She highlighted her cultural responsibility in guiding younger Sparks teammates.
“This Sparks team has gone through a lot of changes, but I think just bringing my experience, not just as a player, but being with the Sparks for so long,” Ogwumike said.
“I've played with so many greats, I've been connected with so many greats, and there's a lot of cultural legacy that's infused in this organization.
Hopefully providing that type of foundation can be helpful.”
Ogwumike acknowledged her leadership approach has evolved.
“I've become more vocal for sure,” she said.
“I think I was a little more reserved with my voice early on, but I've become more confident speaking in times when things might feel challenging.”
She described balancing her roles as union president and active team veteran.
“I think a lot of times how I am as president and as a player kind of overlap in a lot of different ways,” Ogwumike said.
“I'd like to think the strengths of those two roles help me with the other hats that I have to wear.”
She discussed managing twin responsibilities across basketball operations.
“It's almost like a dance,” she said. “Sometimes I can be a little bit presidential when I'm playing.
Sometimes I can incorporate being a team player with the executive committee and with the union. I appreciate being able to tap into both.”
When asked about the future focus of women's basketball, Ogwumike emphasized player protection and sustained investment.
“Continuing to ensure that we have an environment, investment, and also safety and priority for the players,” she said.
Regarding her overall basketball legacy, Ogwumike voiced a collaborative mindset.
“I wanted to be great, and I wanted to be around people that were great,” she said. “Hopefully things were greater, for whatever reason, while I was playing.”
The WNBA season resumes after the All-Star break, with the league preparing for further expansion to 15 teams.
