WNBA All-Star record thrills Ogunbowale

Dallas Wings point guard of Nigerian descent Arike Ogunbowale is pumped up for more feats 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 a second All-Star Game MVP as she led Team WNBA to a 117-109 win over Team USA.

Ogunbowale, currently the WNBA’s third top scorer with an average of 22.3 points per game, embarked on a sizzling second-half run, finishing with 34 points – a WNBA All-Star Game record. The Dallas Wings guard, who also pulled down six rebounds and dished out six assists, overtook the record tally of 31 set last year by Seattle Storm’s Jewell Lloyd.

She was also named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, the second in her career having been named MVP in the 2021 WNBA All-Star game.

Reacting to her performance, the player of Nigerian descent who opted out of the Team USA women’s team to the Olympics says her performance is a constant reminder of the hard work she puts in daily.

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

“Regardless of win, lose or draw, I’m just going to play my game and that’s what I’ve been doing for Dallas. This is good to get a win, even though it doesn’t count.”

The 27-year-old also credited coach Cheryl Miller’s half-time pep talk for her second-half extraordinary performance.

“I wasn’t expecting her to say my name — she was talking to the team, but pointing 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 pulled out of the USA Olympic team.

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

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

Ogunbowale finished the game on fire, sinking eight three-pointers, going 10 for 20 from the field, and adding six assists. This dominant performance cemented her place in history as a two-time WNBA All-Star Game MVP, alongside Lisa Leslie (three), Maya Moore (three) and Swin Cash (two).