Chiney Ogwumike Becomes Full-Time Multi-Platform ESPN Commentator


Adds Regular Basketball Studio Analyst Role to SportsCenter Africa Co-Host Assignment

Multi-year Agreement Places WNBA All-Star Ogwumike Among Youngest National Sports Studio Analysts

Will Contribute to Cross-Platform ESPN’s NBA, WNBA and Women’s College Basketball Coverage

ESPN today announced it has reached a multi-year agreement with current WNBA player Chiney Ogwumike that will make her a full-time multi-platform ESPN commentator. Ogwumike will add a regular basketball studio analyst role to her slate of SportsCenter Africa co-hosting responsibilities. Ogwumike will contribute analysis for ESPN’s cross-platform NBA, WNBA and women’s college basketball studio coverage.

At just 26 years old, Ogwumike is one of the youngest regular national sports studio analysts and one of the only full-time professional athletes to currently hold a regular national sports media position. She is a power forward for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, where she was the first overall draft pick in 2014 before winning Rookie of the Year and making the All-Star team in the same season.

She had previously been contributing to various ESPN platforms in a part-time capacity. In her new role, she will make regular appearances on SportsCenter and The JumpESPN’s daily NBA news and commentary platform.

Chiney Ogwumike:

“I am beyond thrilled to continue to grow with ESPN in this expanded role. I am extremely fortunate to be able to play at the highest level of women’s professional basketball while also contributing as a diverse voice to the worldwide leader in sports. It is truly the best of both worlds, being able to pursue my passions both on and off the court. My hope is to inspire the rising generation, especially young girls, to continue to defy expectations and create their own path.”

Ogwumike will continue to regularly co-host SportsCenter Africa on Kwese Sports, as she has done since 2017, while continuing to make regular appearances on ESPN Radio and the ESPN.com Hoop Collective podcast alongside Cassidy Hubbarth, Ramona Shelburne, and more.

Ogwumike is a Nigerian-American from the Houston, Texas area and is a graduate of Stanford University. She is the leader in scoring and rebounding for Stanford women’s basketball and she played in three Final Fours. Chiney is the younger sister of Nneka Ogwumike, who is also an active WNBA player.

Fans can follow Chiney Ogwumike on Twitter at @Chiney321.