Even early into her career, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is already a force to be reckoned with on the court. But after the recent WNBA All-Star Game, the former Iowa Hawkeyes star called Dallas Wings’ Arike Ogunbowole the best one-on-one player in the league.
Prior to her professional career, she had a successful college basketball journey with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Ogunbowale gained recognition during the 2018 NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament, where she made game-winning shots in both the semifinal and championship games, leading her team to victory.
In her freshman season at Notre Dame, Ogunbowale averaged 11.4 points per game and became a regular starter the following year. She played a crucial role in Notre Dame’s triumph in the 2018 NCAA tournament, earning her the Most Outstanding Player title. Ogunbowale’s final season at Notre Dame saw her contribute significantly to the team’s success, although they fell short in the NCAA tournament final.
Ogunbowale entered the WNBA in 2019 as the fifth overall pick by the Dallas Wings. In her rookie season, she ranked third in the league in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game. Her impressive performance earned her a spot on the All-Rookie Team. The Dallas star continued to excel in the league, and in 2021 and 2024, she was named the WNBA All-Star Game MVP.
Off the court, Ogunbowale comes from a sporting family, with her mother and brother also having athletic backgrounds. She has achieved numerous accolades, including being a four-time All-Star and a WNBA scoring champion. Her skill, dedication, and clutch performances have solidified her position as a prominent figure in women’s basketball.
Indiana Fever Rookie Caitlin Clark Names Arike Ogunbowale as Best 1 On 1 WNBA Player
After the Team WNBA defeated Team USA in the recent All-Star Game, Clark sat down with reporters and answered several questions from them. In a video shared by ClutchPoints on X, the Fever rookie called Ogunbowale the best player in the league when going one-on-one with a defender.
“She is probably the best 1 on 1 player in our league.”
Caitlin Clark with high praise for Arike Ogunbowale 🔥
pic.twitter.com/bpFhJbgBWx— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 21, 2024
Over the course of 24 games this season, the Dallas Wings star has averaged 22.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per contest. Even if she stands out on the court, her team is tied with the Washington Mystics with a 6-19 record, which placed them at the bottom of the league.
Even though Ogunbowale and the Wings won’t be competing for a ring this season, the former’s talent can’t be denied. And with Clark’s seal of approval, greater things are bound to happen for Dallas’ franchise player.
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