Chiney Ogwumike re-signs with Sparks, reunites with coach Curt Miller

Ahead Chiney Ogwumike re-signed with the Sparks on Wednesday, the crew introduced, reuniting the previous No. 1 general decide with the coach who guided her most up-to-date All-Star look.

After accidents slowed her profession, Ogwumike, the 2014 rookie of the yr, was named an All-Star in 2018 underneath coach Curt Miller throughout Ogwumike’s remaining yr with the Connecticut Solar.

With Miller now overseeing the Sparks’ rebuild, Ogwumike will return for her fourth season with the franchise after averaging seven factors, 5.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 26 appearances in 2022. It was the primary time since 2019 that Ogwumike had performed in a majority of the video games after she opted out of the 2020 pandemic-affected season and accidents hampered her comeback in 2021.

“The previous two seasons right here have been the toughest of my basketball profession, however I’m motivated and impressed for this season to mark a brand new chapter for the Sparks and me,” Ogwumike stated in an announcement. “Reuniting with Curt, the coach that helped me be an All-Star in 2018, who is aware of my combat and journey on the court docket, means the world to me.”

Whereas enjoying with the Sparks, Ogwumike has constructed her second profession as an NBA analyst for ESPN.

The Sparks are anticipated to re-sign Ogwumike’s older sister, Nneka. The seven-time All-Star is an unrestricted free agent.

With coaching camp set to start in late April, the Sparks signed 4 gamers to coaching camp rosters this month: guards Jordin Canada, Layshia Clarendon, Karlie Samuelson and ahead Reshanda Grey.

One yr after signing because the Sparks’ subsequent star level guard, Canada must compete to maintain her roster spot. The previous UCLA star and first-round decide began 25 video games for the Sparks final season and averaged 9.2 factors and 5.5 assists.

Clarendon, who final performed within the WNBA for Minnesota in 2021, presents a veteran point-guard presence, and Samuelson, who’s enjoying in Australia’s prime league, returns to the Sparks for the fourth time. Grey’s WNBA journeywoman profession included one season along with her hometown Sparks in 2020.

The Sparks already try to fill holes on their roster as forwards Stephanie Talbot and Katie Lou Samuelson will miss the season. Talbot, a key free agent signing who was anticipated so as to add much-needed three-point capturing, suffered a torn ACL whereas enjoying abroad this week. Samuelson, the youthful sister of Karlie, is planning to provide start to her first youngster in August.