SPARKS FORWARD NNEKA OGWUMIKE NAMED WNBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK

– Ogwumike earns her fourth Player of the Week career honor –

 Los Angeles –Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played June 29 through July 5, it was announced today by the WNBA.

The honor is Ogwumike’s first of the season and fourth of her career for the two-time WNBA All-Star. During the week she helped lead the Sparks to a 2-1 record with consecutive victories over the San Antonio Stars and Tulsa Shock for the team’s first two wins of the season.

Ogwumike opened the week with a 20-point performance, contributing a season-high 27 points and adding eight rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead LA to its first victory of the season, an 86-81 win over San Antonio. The following night she again led LA to a win with her second double-double of the season, contributing 19 points and 10 rebounds as the Sparks edged Tulsa, 98-95 at STAPLES Center. She finished the week with her second 20 point performance of the season and consecutive double-doubles, adding 26 points, a season-high 19 rebounds, including 13 defensive boards, and two assists in the Sparks 94-91 overtime loss to Phoenix.

For the week, Ogwumike ranked second in the Western Conference in scoring (24.0 ppg), while pacing the West in rebounding (12.3 rpg) and tying for second in steals (1.67 spg).

The Sparks season, presented by EquiTrust, celebrates the diversity of Los Angeles – #WeAreLA. For Sparks season and group tickets, in all lower-bowl sections of STAPLES Center, call 844-GO-SPARKS or visit LASparks.com. The Sparks can be found on all social media outlets at @la_Sparks.