One of the greatest careers in WNBA history will come to an end next month, as Nneka Ogwumike announced her retirement from the league following the 2026 season.Ogwumike is probably best known for her tenure as the president of the WNBPA, a role she has held for a decade, and for good reason. In that position, Ogwumike presided over the execution of two landmark collective bargaining agreements, the most recent of which introduced revenue sharing into the WNBA, along with massive gains in compensation and player experience.Sometimes I wonder if we overlook the basketball component of Ogwumike’s legacy. She ranks fourth all-time in points, third in rebounds and fifth in steals. She’s a former MVP and champion who put together the most efficient season in WNBA history in 2016. She’s also second all-time in win shares; that doesn’t necessarily mean Ogwumike is the second-best player ever, but she’s a lot closer than most would think.Ogwumike is the epitome of consistency, an All-Star every year she was eligible (it was only recently that the league started naming All-Stars in Olympic years) other than 2021, when she suffered an ill-timed injury. She received MVP votes nine times and finished sixth on the ballot as recently as last season.The list of players with career averages surpassing Ogwumike’s 16.7 points and 7.6 rebounds includes Lisa Leslie, Chamique Holdsclaw, Lauren Jackson, Tina Charles, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier. Ogwumike’s field-goal percentage is the highest among the group.Perhaps the general malaise surrounding the Los Angeles Sparks, where Ogwumike spent the bulk of her career, obscured her day-to-day greatness. There won’t be many more wins on her ledger or another postseason appearance.But Ogwumike can individually go out on a high note, and with the end date of her WNBA career fixed, fans know exactly how long they have to see her. It’s worth remembering just how much there is to celebrate.After announcing her retirement, Nneka Ogwumike should be recognized for her contributions to the game. (Luiza Moraes / Getty Images)RankTeamPrevious rank1Minnesota12Las Vegas33Atlanta74New York65Golden State26Indiana47Dallas88Washington59Chicago1010Portland911Phoenix1112Los Angeles1213Connecticut1414Toronto1515Seattle13Trending upDallas WingsThe rumors of Dallas’ demise (by me, I take full blame) have been greatly exaggerated. The Wings responded to the news of Azzi Fudd’s season-ending surgery with their best win in months over the Fever and another dominant performance against Seattle.The Dallas coaching staff elected to put Awak Kuier in place of Fudd in the starting lineup, and Kuier’s athleticism on the wing has been a necessary jolt. She can guard perimeter players, something Caitlin Clark learned all too well in their matchup, and she’s a good driver, which makes her an offensive spacing threat.The Wings don’t necessarily need Kuier to be a scoring option with Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and Jessica Shepard already in the first five, but she needs to make defenders pay for sagging off of her, which they would never do with Fudd.The real boon of this new lineup is that Dallas has two legitimate rim protectors on the floor. After allowing an open lane to the basket for much of the season, the duo of Alanna Smith and Kuier is actually formidable defensively. Smith is a more traditional paint defender who guards her assignment while Kuier is excellent at rotating in help. She had seven blocks in the win over Indiana.Awak Kuier's lineup boost Sabreena MerchantSeeing Kuier at the three position brought to mind how New York gives opponents fits when Leonie Fiebich is available to play on the wing. That combination of length and defensive acumen on the perimeter is rare; it’s what makes the Liberty a contender, and the Wings are hoping it can do the same for them.