Arike Ogunbowale sat with her Team WNBA teammates in the locker room, waiting for coach Cheryl Miller’s halftime talk. Instead of addressing the team as a whole, Miller singled out Ogunbowale.
In the first half, Ogunbowale hadn’t scored any points and missed both of her shots. But after Miller’s pep talk, the 5-foot-8 guard came alive in the third quarter. She scored 21 of her total 34 points during this period, showcasing her skills with impressive 3-pointers and smooth drives to the basket.
Facing the U.S. Olympic team, Ogunbowale initially deferred to her teammates, but Miller’s advice to relax and play her own game made a significant impact. She made 6 out of 10 shots in the third quarter, hitting 5 out of 7 from beyond the arc.
Her performance helped Team WNBA defeat Team USA 117-109 in their final warm-up game before the Paris Olympics.
Ogunbowale finished the game with eight 3-pointers, shooting 10 for 20 overall from the field and dishing out six assists. Her outstanding play earned her the MVP title for the second time in WNBA All-Star Game history, joining an elite group of players.
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark praised Ogunbowale’s performance, noting her unstoppable offense, including difficult step-back 3s and creative floaters. Ogunbowale’s dominance on the court left opponents struggling to defend against her impressive skills.
