🔥 Trending Arike Ogunbowale: WNBA Star and Dallas Wings Player

Arike Ogunbowale is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player widely recognized for her prolific scoring ability and her role as a guard for the Dallas Wings in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) ¹²⁴.

Early Life and Background

Born on March 2, 1997, Arike Faulina Ogunbowale has Nigerian heritage ¹⁴. Her family background includes strong athletic ties; her father, Yolanda Ogunbowale, played college basketball and football, and her mother, Lakeria Ogunbowale, was a track athlete. Her brother, Dare Ogunbowale, is a professional football player ⁸.

Collegiate Career

Ogunbowale attended the University of Notre Dame, where she had a highly successful collegiate career ⁶. She was instrumental in leading the Fighting Irish to a national championship victory in 2018, where she hit the game-winning shot ⁸. Her clutch performances earned her significant recognition during her time in college.

WNBA Career

Arike Ogunbowale was drafted by the Dallas Wings in the 2019 WNBA Draft ³⁴. Since joining the league, she has established herself as one of the WNBA's premier scorers.

Key highlights of her WNBA career include:

• Scoring Prowess: She consistently ranks among the league's top scorers, known for her ability to score from anywhere on the court ⁸.
• All-Star Selections: Ogunbowale is a four-time WNBA All-Star ⁶.
• Team Leadership: She has been described as a "pillar" for the Dallas Wings, especially during challenging periods for the team ⁶.
• Contract: In 2022, she signed a three-year, $725,000 contract extension with the Wings, which was considered a significant deal at the time ⁷. By May 2026, she reflected on a $1.2 million contract, indicating her continued value to the team ⁷.

Ogunbowale's dynamic playstyle and scoring ability have made her a fan favorite and a central figure in the WNBA ⁴⁸. She continues to be a prominent player for the Dallas Wings, entering her seventh year with the team in 2025 ⁶.