It has turned out to be a case of different strokes for two Nigerian-born players in USA’s Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), as Arike Ogunbowale has made the 2021 All Stars’ list, but Nneka Ogwumike failed to make the cut.
While Ogunbowale, who plays for Dallas Wing, makes the cut for the historic WNBA selection that was announced on Wednesday, with Chicago Sky forward, Candace Parker set to make her sixth appearance next month.
Megasportsarena.com reports that Ogunbowale will aim for a key role when the 12-plazyer squad face Team USA on Wednesday, July 14, with her side set to be coached by WNBA legends, Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson.
However, what could have been another Nigerian presence in the seven first-time All-Stars roster for this year’s format has failed to materialize, as Los Angeles Sparks forward, Ogwumike has been left out of this year’s selection.
Ogunbowale, on the other hand gets a first ever nod, along with Candace Parker of Chicago Sky (sixth), Liz Cambage of Las Vegas Aces (fourth), DeWanna Bonner of Connecticut Sun (fourth), Jonquel Jones of Connecticut Sun (third) and Courtney Vandersloot of Chicago Sky (third).
Others are Kahleah Copper of Chicago Sky (first), Dearica Hamby of Las Vegas Aces (first), Brionna Jones of Connecticut Sun (first), Betnijah Laney of New York Liberty (first), Satou Sabally of Dallas Wings (first) and Courtney Williams of Atlanta Dream (first).
The game will pit Team USA against WNBA All-Stars, featuring players that are not part of the national team, with the match taking place in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 14 to close the first half of WNBA’s 25th anniversary season.
The final game of the first half will be played Sunday, July 11, while USA’s national team will hold its training camp for the Olympic Games there from July 12 to18.
The second half will resume after the Olympics, with the Commissioner’s Cup game on August 12 in Phoenix, heading into which Connecticut Sun (6-1) lead the Eastern Conference and Seattle Storm (5-1) top the Western Conference.
The All-Stars were selected by fan vote (50%), current player votes (25%) and a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters (25%).
The top 36 vote-getters from all ballots went to WNBA coaches, who voted it down to a final 12, but they could not cast ballots in favour of their own players.
The WNBA does not typically host a midseason All-Star Game during Olympic Games’ years, but is adjusting its format to make it work this year.
