Reebok Top 25 Most Dynamic Athletes: Erica Ogwumike

Following in the footsteps of an older brother or sister is never easy. The older sisters of Erica Ogwumike didn't do her any favors.

Ogwumike is the fourth in a line of sisters who have built impressive resumes during their athletic careers. Oldest sister Nneka was the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2008 while playing basketball for Cy-Fair. She later went on to a standout career at Stanford where she finished as the school's second all-time leading scorer. From there she was the No. 1 overall player selected in the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks and was also named the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2012.

Chiney, the second-oldest sister, has been equally impressive. She earned Gatorade National Athlete of the Year honors in 2010 for her prowess on the volleyball and basketball courts and she, too, has had a stellar career at Stanford. The Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2013, Chiney enters her senior season with the Cardinal in 2013-14.

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Then there is Olivia, who is a senior at Cy-Woods (Cypress, Texas) with Erica. She has been a standout on the volleyball and basketball teams for the Wildcats for the past three seasons.

Finally there is Erica, a junior, who appears more than capable of carrying on the family tradition. She is the fourth daughter of Peter and Ify Ogwumike, both of whom emigrated from Nigeria. Peter works for a computer company while Ify is a school administrator in the Houston area.

"My family, especially my parents, are the whole foundation to the reason I play sports," said Erica. "They have instilled in me qualities of persistence and determination, which I use while on the court."

Erica has shown the same dynamic versatility as her older sisters, excelling at several sports throughout her youth.

"I became involved in sports just like every other kid," she said. "I started with recreational soccer and gymnastics leagues and so on. Once I found a sport that I really had a passion for, I stuck to it."

As a sophomore at Cy-Woods, those sports were volleyball and basketball. She helped the Wildcats win district championships in both sports and rank among the top teams in the nation. She also earned all-district honors in both sports while receiving all-state accolades in basketball.



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Hometown: Cypress, Texas


Sports: Basketball, volleyball


College plans: Undecided, but both of Erica's older sisters, Chiney and Nneke, are among the best players ever to play for the Stanford Cardinal.


Role Models: It's no surprise that older sisters Chiney and Nneke, along with Olivia (a senior at Cy-Woods) are Erica's role models. "By being able to watch them progress and receive different accolades makes me want to achieve the same and more."


Dual School: The Ogwumike family has made its mark at two different high schools. Nneke and Chiney both played at Cy-Fair where they combined to win a pair of state championships. However, redistricting resulted in Olivia and Erica enrolling in Cy-Woods, where they have made their own mark on that program.
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Ogwumike has seen her numbers rise since her freshman year, when she was named the district newcomer of the year. As a freshman, Ogwumike was fourth on the team in scoring with a 10.1 points per game average. She also hit eight 3-pointers, averaged a team-best eight rebounds per game and was second on the team in steals at 3.1 per game and blocked shots at 1.2.

As a sophomore, Ogwumike led the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game. She also finished second in rebounds (7.1 per game) and blocks (.8) and first in assists (1.7), steals (3.1).



More importantly to Ogwumike, however, is the district championship Cy-Woods won last year. The Wildcats posted an 11-2 record last year and edged Cypress Ranch and Cypress Falls, both of whom finished 10-3, for the 5A District 17 championship.

"My most thrilling moment in basketball is when we became district champions," said Ogwumike. "Our district is probably one of the most competitive districts in the area, so beating these teams not once, but twice, was an amazing accomplishment."

Ogwumike says that winning championships is what drives her and her teammates.

"My goals are to win games, win championships and just have fun while we do that," she said. "The awards and honors that we get through that process will just be even more fuel for us to continue. I think it would be amazing to go to Austin and play for a state championship and we definitely have a chance."
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While Ogwumike is reportedly sitting out her junior volleyball season, her mother Ify says that it's possible Erica could return to the volleyball court in the future.

The Wildcats had one of the top teams in the country last season, finishing 40-4 and winning the 5A District 17 championship. Ogwumike played a big role in that success, finishing fourth on the team with 227 kills and first with 73 blocks. She also earned all-district honors.

Opposing teams likely are wishing that she takes this season - and next - off.



"In volleyball, the most thrilling time was probably just the whole playoff atmosphere and knowing that each game could be your last," she said.

Ogwumike helped the Wildcats stretch their district win streak to 63 straight during the 2012 season. Cy-Woods had not lost a match since 2008 before falling to Cy-Fair in mid-September.