Nneka Ogwumike Named WNBA MVP: Latest Comments and Reaction

Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike won the WNBA 2016 MVP Award on Tuesday night, according to ESPN Women's Hoops.

Ogwumike issued a statement upon winning MVP, per USA Today's Nina Mandell:

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As far as goals go, this honor has always been on a list I wrote down in the back of some journal years ago. Typically, when you have achievements in mind, you prepare yourself and set standards to take a step-by-step approach to reach the top. Looking back, however, my 2016 season didn't feel quite like that. Many may not understand when I say that this just kind of happened.....things fell into place. Please, don't let me leave you misunderstood! Dreams don't sprout overnight and triumph doesn't grow from trees. My 2016 season is a reflection of years of being a student of the game, hours of grueling practice, memories, favorable and unfavorable; of great teammates and heartbreaking losses on the court. My hindsight is 20/20 and what lays ahead of me may not be visible, but I'm certain is bright. As the WNBA's 2016 MVP, I want to say thank you, I'm humbly honored, and can't wait for what's next.

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Ogwumike's sister, Chiney, who plays on the Connecticut Sun, celebrated the achievement:

The 26-year-old was widely expected to take home the honor, and the Los Angeles Times' Jesse Dougherty reported she collected 31 of the 39 first-place votes. New York Liberty forward Tina Charles finished in second place.

During the regular season, Ogwumike averaged 19.7 points and 9.1 rebounds a game as the Sparks finished with the second-best record (26-8) in the league. 

She had a historically efficient shooting season. According to Basketball Reference.com, her .737 true shooting percentage and .687 effective field-goal percentage are both the best ever in the WNBA, and no other player had ever eclipsed 70 percent in true shooting. Her 135.0 offensive rating was also second-best behind Lauren Jackson's 135.3 offensive rating in 2006.

During a three-game stretch in June, Ogwumike knocked down 23 straight shots, setting another WNBA mark:

Ogwumike's focus will now firmly shift to the WNBA playoffs. The Sparks' five-game semifinal series against the Chicago Sky tips off Wednesday, and she and her teammates will want to atone for past postseason disappointments. In each of the past three years, Los Angeles exited in the first round.

Helping the Sparks win their first title since 2002 will be a nice way for Ogwumike to close out her MVP season.