LOS ANGELES — The prodigal player has returned.
Sparks legend Nneka Ogwumike stands alone in several categories.
Ogwumike is the president of the Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association, which recently negotiated a historic collective bargaining agreement, highlighted by the first multi-million-dollar contracts in league history.
“It’s the discourse that allows us to be able to have leveraged all of the things we were able to accomplish in the CBA,” Ogwumike said. “But our laser focus is on who we are today and I know that as long as we stack those days, in the fall, we’ll be proud of what we’ve done.”
The former MVP is the team’s longest-tenured player at 13 years, despite a two-year hiatus.
The No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 draft played her first 12 seasons in Los Angeles, before leaving as a free agent to play for the Seattle Storm the past two seasons. She returned “home” in April.
The 10-time All-Star ranks second all-time in scoring in franchise history, just a mere 380 points behind legendary center Lisa Leslie. If she maintains her career average of 16.8 points per game, Ogwumike will claim the historic mark at about the midway point of the 44-game regular season.
She’s also the only Spark who was a member of the three-time championship franchise when it last made the playoffs in 2020.
The Sparks finished 21-23 overall last season and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
“I think every year is a year to make playoffs,” Ogwumike said during training camp. “I also think that you can have that telescopic vision, but I’m not even thinking about playoffs. I’m thinking about practice today. I’m thinking about us being able to continue forging this culture that Coach Lynne (Roberts) and (general manager) Raegan (Pebley) have really done a great job of assembling in terms of our locker room and also who’s on the court.”
Ogwumike said her focus is more granular.
“I’m thinking about our home opener on Sunday,” Ogwumike continued. “I’m thinking about the games we have next week, and I think that having that type of view is not just because of who I am, but it’s also because of how Coach Lynne has been talking to us and letting us know exactly what we need to be focused on. Not looking too far ahead. Not feeling too low.”
READ: Sparks 2026 roster breakdown – who’s gone, who’s back and who’s new
The Sparks’ projected starting lineup is packed with former All-Stars: guards Kelsey Plum and Ariel Atkins and forwards Ogwumike, Rae Burrell and Dearica Hamby
“We’re ready to roll,” Roberts said. “It feels different this year for me, just Year 2, knowing exactly what to expect, and while we do have some new key players, three rookies, there’s still a familiarity with the system. We’ve got some unbelievable vets.”
The Sparks averaged 85.7 points per game last season, which was second in the league, but allowed 88.2 points per game, which was the worst in the league.
“We want to win more than we want scored,” Roberts continued.
Roberts said she’s willing to sacrifice a bit of offense if it means the team’s defense will improve significantly.
“We didn’t make the playoffs (last season) because of our defense,” Roberts explained. “That’s 100% on me, so it’s intentional, in terms of whether it was coaching staff and the players we brought in, not only are they good scorers, but great defenders. So we’re already better in that regard.”
Meanwhile, 6-foot-4 forward Cameron Brink, the second overall pick in the 2024 draft, is the tallest player on the roster and the team’s only true shot blocker. The 24-year-old, whose length allows her to play taller, will back up Hamby and Ogwumike.
“I do strongly believe we have a group that knows how to stay even,” Ogwumike said. “When things are high, we don’t let it stay too high so that the plummet isn’t too deep. That’s why I feel like this season is going to be – I don’t even want to say it’s going to be special, it’s going to be up to our standard, and we’re locked in to who’s here.”
For the first time, Burrell, 25, opens the season in the starting rotation and will be the only starter younger than 29. The fifth-year wing, whom the Sparks selected as their first-round pick in 2022, has started only 12 games in her career.
“I want to bring exactly what I bring,” Burrell said, “my versatility, my ability to shoot the ball, and defense. My two-way playmaking ability. Coach wants me to do that. I feel like I don’t have a lot of pressure, which is nice. I just want to bring whatever I need to bring to help us win.”
Sparks forward Rae Burrell is excited to be a full-time starter ahead of her fifth season in the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/jwyBlhxPZ3
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 9, 2026
Sparks guard Erica Wheeler, who signed as a free agent in April and turned 35 on May 2, shared an example of the Sparks’ positive culture ahead of the season opener.
The 2019 All-Star said she took some personal time and went home for a few days this week to attend her grandmother’s funeral.
In her time of need, she said the team was beyond supportive. Wheeler believes in the importance of community and how it can help this year’s Sparks reach higher levels than they have in recent seasons.
“It means everything,” said Wheeler, who also played for the Sparks during the 2021 season. “I know they’ve got my back, but I knew that from Day 1. Just being able to sign here, from that point on, I knew that they had my back.
“With the support system we have, we have everything we need here. Make no mistake. It’s everything you need here, and you have the pieces here. You look at the (roster), and it’s not too much of a drop-off. We have everything we need, and as long as we put those things together, it doesn’t happen overnight. I think people think that when you get a roster full of great names, it’s supposed to be instant. No, roles change, different system. I just think that as long as we jell and communicate with each other and find that mesh in different ways, I think we will be fine.”
Veteran forward Emma Cannon and second-year forward Sania Feagin will also serve as frontcourt reserves. Rookie guards Ta’Niya Latson, Chance Gray and Jihyun Park also made the final 12-player roster. Rookie forward Laura Ziegler will be the first developmental player in franchise history.
Sparks guard Erica Wheeler said she missed a few days this week to go home to attend her grandmother’s funeral.
Wheeler said the support she received from Sparks organization means everything to her.
She believes that same community of support will lead to on-court success. pic.twitter.com/7R7gQf7svQ
— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) May 9, 2026
SPARKS FINAL ROSTER
G Ariel Atkins
F Cameron Brink
G/F Rae Burrell
F Emma Cannon
F Sania Feagin
G Chance Gray
F Dearica Hamby
G Ta’Niya Latson
F Nneka Ogwumike
G Jihyun Park
G Kelsey Plum
G Erica Wheeler
F Laura Ziegler (developmental player)
LAS VEGAS AT SPARKS (WNBA season opener)
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: USA, Spectrum SportsNet