Despite a tumultuous offseason in Seattle, Nneka Ogwumike is re-signing with the Storm.

Ogwumike texted her younger sister, former Sparks player and current ESPN host Chiney Ogwumike, to break the news live on air. “‘My answer just got personal when it comes to winners of free agency,'” Chiney said after reading her sister’s text. “She wants me to break the news, so I’m gonna do it.”

The nine-time All-Star and 2016 MVP signed in Seattle as a free agent in 2024. In her first season with a new team after 12 years with the Los Angeles Sparks, Ogwumike had no trouble adjusting, making her third straight All-Star appearance and earning a third straight selection to the all-WNBA second team.

The Storm didn’t coalesce as swiftly as expected, as the projected super team finished fifth in the WNBA standings and was swept out of the first round of the playoffs, leading to franchise stalwart Jewell Loyd demanding a trade. Even though Loyd was the hub that brought Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith — who is under contract for one more season — to Seattle, her absence didn’t change Ogwumike’s desire to stay rooted with the Storm.

Part of the draw of Seattle was also the team’s practice facility, which opened in 2024. Ogwumike talked to at the end of last season about how that benefit has extended her career.

“I see more years in front of me now,” Ogwumike said. “Honestly, it’s such a blessing, and for that to happen for me, specifically the same year as getting charters (planes), it really makes a huge difference.”

Even with Ogwumike back, there is still much work to be done on the Storm roster. Only Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston are signed through 2025, though Gabby Williams was cored and is expected to return. Seattle gained the reserved rights to Li Yueru in the Loyd trade and has the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, but that leaves at least five more roster spots to fill since Nika Mühl is expected to miss the year with a torn ACL, and the bench was a point of concern for the team in 2024.

Keeping Ogwumike is a sign that Seattle is committed to contending and building better chemistry in year two of the revamped roster, as the franchise chases its first playoff win since the departures of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Seattle Storm, WNBA

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