Ogwumike reportedly didn't want to juggle Sun duties with ESPN assignments while working out of BristolESPN IMAGES
The WNBA Connecticut Sun traded Chiney Ogwumike to the L.A. Sparks last month in part because she "didn't want to play" for the team anymore, but also due to her "status as a rising basketball analyst at ESPN," according to Mike Anthony of the HARTFORD COURANT. Sun coach Curt Miller said that Ogwumike's reps told him that she would "plan to work full-time with ESPN through the NBA playoffs and would not be available until June 17." The Sun will have "played nine of their 34 games by then." Miller said that it "became clear at the same time" that Ogwumike, who had "long stated a desire to eventually play with her sister [Nneka], actually wanted to do so immediately, juggling Sparks duties with ESPN duties while working out of the network's L.A. studios." However, Ogwumike "didn't want to juggle Sun duties with ESPN duties while working out of the network's Bristol studios." Ogwumike was at practice for the beginning of Sparks' camp, and fans can "see her all over the TV while following the NBA playoffs" (HARTFORD COURANT, 5/10).
