WNBA All-Star record sparks excitement in Ogunbowale

Dallas Wings Nigerian-born point guard Arike Ogunbowale is excited for more accomplishments in the Women’s National Basketball Association after setting two records in one night during an All-Star Game against Team USA at the Phoenix Footprint Centre on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 27-year-old made history by setting a WNBA All-Star Game record with 34 points, earning her second All-Star Game MVP as she led Team WNBA to a 117-109 victory over Team USA.

Ogunbowale, currently the WNBA’s third-leading scorer with an average of 22.3 points per game, started a blistering second half and finished with 34 points — a WNBA All-Star Game record. The Dallas Wings guard, who also grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists, surpassed the record of 31 set last year by the Seattle Storm’s Jewell Lloyd.

She was also named All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, the second of her career. In 2021, she was named MVP at the WNBA All-Star Game.

The Nigerian-born player, who opted out of the Olympic Games for the US women’s national team, responded to her performance by saying that her achievements are a constant reminder of the hard work she puts in every day.

“It’s just a testament to my hard work,” Ogunbowale said.

“Win, lose or draw, I’m just going to play my game and that’s what I did for Dallas. It’s good to get a win even if it doesn’t count.”

The 27-year-old was also grateful for her exceptional second-half performance, thanks to coach Cheryl Miller’s half-time pep talk.

“I didn’t expect her to call my name. She was talking to the team but she pointed at me,” Ogunbowale said.

“She just told me to take a deep breath and play my game.”

The D’Tigress also congratulated the player, who recently withdrew from the US Olympic team.

“Congratulations Arike Ogunbowale on being named MVP of the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game. Nigeria to the world.”

Despite having zero points at halftime, Ogunbowale scored a whopping 21 of her 34 points in the third quarter alone. She exploded in the third quarter, hitting six of 10 shots, including five of seven three-pointers.

Ogunbowale finished the game on fire, making eight three-pointers, 10-of-20 from the field and dishing out six assists. The dominant performance cemented her place in history as a two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP, joining Lisa Leslie (three), Maya Moore (three) and Swin Cash (two).