Nneka Ogwumike, the 2012 No. 1 overall pick and 2016 WNBA MVP, announced she will leave the Los Angeles Sparks in free agency this winter after 12 seasons with the franchise. Ogwumike is an unrestricted free agent and has already taken meetings with the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky and Phoenix Mercury, according to Ramona Shelburne. She also intends to meet with the New York Liberty and Seattle Storm.
“I have SO much, so much love for the city that unconditionally embraced this Stanford kid 12 years ago,” Ogwumike wrote in a statement on social media. “So much pride in being only a small piece of the legacy that is Championchip City. So much pain and sweat with teammates, coaches, staff and ownership that gave life to what it really means to be SHOWTIME. So much gratitude for the fans and the people of LA that raised me. So much joy for what it means to be #30 in purple & gold. I have SO much because of the Los Angeles Sparks and even more for my heart to hold on in this season of change.
“LA, I hope it’s not good bye, but ‘see you later.'”
Sparks coach Curt Miller, who previously coached Nneka’s sister, Chiney Ogwumike, with the Connecticut Sun, also put out a statement on social media.
“An…
