MaxPreps.com Staff Report
2007-2008 MaxPreps National Player of the Year
Nneka Ogwumike, Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas)
After leading Cy-Fair High School to a Texas 5A state title and a No. 5 national ranking, senior Nneka Ogwumike has been named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-2 senior averaged 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.8 assists per game during her final regular season at the Houston-area school.
But during the Bobcats’ dominant seven-game run through the postseason, the Stanford-bound star ratcheted up her game a notch, averaging 21.4 points per game and pulling down 20 rebounds against Alief Elsik and 17 in the state championship game against De Soto.
Ogwumike’s play helped Cy-Fair dispose its playoff foes by 19.2 points per game and cap a perfect season – at least with the MaxPreps National Player of the Year in the lineup.
The Bobcats dropped a pair of early-season contests while Ogwumike – along with sister, Chiney – led the Cy-Fair volleyball team through the state playoffs, where they reached the semifinals before falling to nationally-ranked Amarillo.
Even with those setbacks, Ogwumike helped Cy-Fair head coach Ann Roubique compile a 77-3 record over the past two seasons.
More than just a star on the court, Ogwumike also excels in the classroom, accumulating an impressive 3.86 grade point average. The decision to attend Stanford appears to be a natural fit.
“It was mainly the academics that I put into perspective when making my decision, as well as the opportunities I would have after earning my degree from Stanford,” Ogwumike said. “I am also very excited about getting to play for a wonderful program that has very talented athletes and phenomenal coaches.”
Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer, fresh off an appearance in the Final Four, will be replacing one National Player of the Year – Candice Wiggins – with another.
“Nneka is the type of player that, along with the existing depth of our team, will allow us to continue to compete at the highest level,” VanDerveer said. “I really think that Nneka is a special player and will make an immediate impact for us next season.”
As a junior, Ogwumike earned second team MaxPreps All-American honors after posting 19.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game, leading the Bobcats to the state final before falling to Rockwall.
Ogwumike domination could continue next year in Texas as Chiney returns to Cy-Fair for her junior season after averaging 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this year. She is regarded as one of the nation’s top sophomores.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2007 – Maya Moore, Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.)
2006 – Jacki Gemelos, St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.)
