She's a Spark who's reignited

Two years after leaving L.A., Ogwumike returns to the rejuvenated franchise

- BY MARISA INGEMI

NNEKA OGWUMIKE, a 10-time WNBA All-Star forward, spent the first 12 seasons of her career with the Sparks.

(ETHAN MILLER Getty Images)

Nneka Ogwumike is coming home in a strong endorsement of the Sparks' vow to succeed during the upcoming season.

Ogwumike, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, spent her first 12 seasons with the Sparks after she was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012, helping them win their last title in 2016 as the league MVP.

But Ogwumike left two seasons ago as the Sparks were struggling to win and signed with a Seattle Storm team with talent capable of pushing for a championship, a female coach and state-of-the-art facilities.

While she was gone, the Sparks replaced coach Curt Miller with Lynne Roberts, traded for All-Star guard Kelsey Plum and broke ground on a new practice facility in El Segundo.

Ogwumike posted a 45-second video on social media Friday morning that indicated her intention to return to the Sparks. Free agents are free to sign with new teams Saturday, when the Sparks are expected to officially announce her return.

"It was always 'see you later,' now I'll see you soon," Ogwumike wrote in the post.

She did not post any contract terms, and they have yet to be reported.

Chiney Ogwumike, an ESPN analyst, longtime Spark and Nneka's sister, broke the news on social media, posting: "10x WNBA All-Star and 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike intends to resign with the Los Angeles Sparks.

"She previously played 12 seasons in LA and 'is looking forward to returning home.' "