ARLINGTON (Texas) - Arike Ogunbowale is the name on everybody's lips right now after posting a record-breaking 45-point show for Dallas Wings in a thrilling WNBA Playoffs win against Golden State Valkyries.
She made history by racking up the highest ever tally in a post-season game as her team won 108-100 in overtime, with the guard having tied it in the dying seconds of regulation with a huge three-point shot. She made five triples in total, as well as 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Taking the series to a decider, the four time WNBA All-Star captured the imagination of women's hoops followers with her individual brilliance. It has also led to fans not overly familiar with her career resume scrambling to find out more about the 29 year-old.
Ogunbowale has not only played for USA at both youth and senior level, but has also competed in the FIBA international game at club level too.
She started her journey in 2013 at the FIBA U16 Women's AmeriCup where she took USA to the top of the podium with 10 points per game. That ensured she claimed a ticket to the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2014 when Ogunbowale won her first global title.
She did it as part of a team that had to see off Spain in a Final for the ages, with the guard contributing a priceless 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Her first senior title came at FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2019 in San Juan, Puerto Rico when she lifted a third trophy in a USA jersey.
She showed out and played the second most minutes for her team and inked another double-digit scoring return with 10.2 points per outing.
In the same year, she also featured in the FIBA Women's Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament and has also played multiple 3x3 events for her country.
At club level, Ogunbowale made her FIBA club debut in EuroCup Women for Turkish side Orman Genclik during the 2019-20 campaign. She caught fire with just under 22 points per game.
That captured the attention of Dynamo Kursk who signed her the following season for two years, providing Ogunbowale to compete in EuroLeague Women. Across both seasons she averaged just under 16 points and 4 assists per game to underscore her quality.
Now all of that prior FIBA international experience is fueling WNBA success with Dallas and everyone can't wait to see what she has in store for her next outing in the Series decider with Golden State.
FIBA