Chiney - Details behind Sun's departure; Becoming More - Episode 2

Connecticut Sun preview: Details behind Chiney Ogwumike’s departure - The unraveling of a five-year love affair began, of all times, over Valentine’s Day weekend. Chiney Ogwumike — the face of the Connecticut Sun and 2014 WNBA Rookie of the Year — had a wandering eye and ESPN looked good. She had begun working at ESPN in 2017 and signed a multi-year contract with the network in 2018. But, the Sun’s leading scorer last season (14.4 points per game) and only All-Star, Ogwumike wanted to broadcast through the NBA playoffs this summer. 

“We realized the NBA playoffs went through June 16 and, then, in order for her to get in basketball shape, we were having the discussion that we wouldn’t have her back until July,” said Miller, Sun coach and general manager. 

Missing about a third of the season was problematic, though not a dealbreaker. But a month later, Ogwumike brought more angst to the Sun’s management: She wanted out and was willing to walk away from the WNBA altogether to pursue broadcasting full-time. She would reconsider if she could play with her sister, Nneka, and the Los Angeles Sparks. "By March, we realized the likelihood of Chiney ever playing another game in Connecticut was very small,” Miller said. “So, we decided to start discussions with Los Angeles, which certainly weren’t easy because they had all the leverage and certainly the very public conversations with Liz Cambage’s desire to be in L.A., also.”

The split became official April 27. The Sun announced they had traded Ogwumike to the Sparks for L.A.’s 2020 first-round pick. The seemingly out-of-nowhere breakup shocked and confused fans. Why would the team get rid of its most recognizable star for what would likely be a late-round draft pick?  “We felt like our fans deserved to understand what is probably perceived as not enough for an All-Star,” Sun vice president Amber Cox said. Cox said Ogwumike was either going to retire and the Sun would get nothing, or they could make a trade. “Those became our only options,” she said.

Post-trade transparency is not common in professional sports, but the Sun players and brass have talked openly about it. “All of us were pretty surprised,” forward Alyssa Thomas said. “She has always wanted to play with her sister, so not too surprised at that, but for it to happen now? We were pretty surprised.” “If we really think about it, the year before we made the playoffs without her, so we’ve been in this situation before. This gives other people opportunities and more minutes for them,” she added. The Sun’s depth, transparency and focus have them feeling nothing like a jilted lover. Jonquel Jones, who started 16 games in 2018, will be the team’s fifth starter in Ogwumike’s place. “For J.J. to step into that (starting) spot is pretty seamless. It’s not like you’re asking someone who is technically a bench player to step into a bigger role and she is prepared,” veteran guard Layshia Clarendon said. “I’m close to Chiney and I’m sad to see her go, but the depth of this team is ready to step into the role.”  

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Before Chiney Ogwumike was on her way to Los Angeles to be reunited with her sister Nneka Ogwumike as a member of the Sparks, she mastered the balancing act of working at ESPN as an NBA basketball analyst while simultaneously playing for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. The second episode in the BECOMING MORE series details how Chiney's career goes above and beyond what she does on the court -- and gives fans a glimpse at the grueling schedule and tireless work ethic that makes it possible