Sisters in Sync
By Mark Soltau October 31, 2011, 3:18 amNneka and Chiney Ogwumike are often mistaken for twins, which isn’t surprising. Both are tall, self-assured, perpetually smiling, and standouts on the perennially nationally-ranked Stanford women’s basketball team.
Nneka, a senior, stands 6-foot-2 and is a two-time All-American. Chiney, a sophomore, is an inch taller, and was the Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2010–11.
“First of all, they’re very talented and obviously very intelligent,” said Tara VanDerveer, the Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball. “Nneka is a great athlete. She really gets up and rebounds and runs the floor very well. She’s kind of the engine of the train.
“Chiney is kind of a scrapper. She’s a great offensive rebounder. They’re hard workers, good teammates and I think they bring a sisterhood to our team that’s a very positive thing.”
For opponents, they are double-trouble. Having played basketball together since they were youngsters, they can practically read each other’s minds, on and off the court.
“We’ve been doing that long before now,” said Nneka. “Rather than playing with four teammates, it’s almost like I’m playing with three. She’s like an extension on the court and I don’t have to really worry about knowing her game.”
Not that they don’t bug each other occasionally.
“We annoy each other as sisters do,” Chiney said. “I think the thing that annoys us the most is that we know what each other is going to do. It’s not a bad kind of annoying. It’s the kind that makes you laugh in practice when the coaches are annoyed with you.”
The dynamic duo helped lead Stanford to its fourth-consecutive Women’s Final Four appearance last year, eventually losing in the semi-finals to Texas A&M. For the season, Nneka averaged a Pac-10 Conference-best 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game, and has a chance to join Nicole Powell (2002–04) and Candice Wiggins (2005–08) as the school’s only three-time All-Americans. Chiney had a solid rookie season for the Cardinal, averaging 11.7 points and 8 rebounds per game and shot 57 percent from the field. She also recorded a team-high 52 steals.
Both sisters have been selected to the Preseason Wade Watch List for the State Farm Wade Trophy, comprising the top 25 players in the country. Previous Stanford winners include Jennifer Azzi in 1990 and Wiggins in 2008. More recently, the Ogwumikes have also been included on the John R. Wooden Award Pre-Season List.
“I think we’re pretty competitive, never with each other, just with what we’re doing,” said Chiney. “I remember in high school, I was really big into the student council my freshman and sophomore year and had all these projects, and the next thing you know, Nneka is running for student body president, which she won. We just kind of pushed ourselves to be the best students we could be.”
With a lot of love and support from their Nigerian-born parents, Ify and Peter.
“They taught me discipline and responsibility and are the reason I am who I am today,” Nneka said. “I know it sounds a little cliché, but it really is true that my mom and dad worked really hard to raise us right, and I think it has paid off.”
Recently, Nneka and Chiney traveled to Shenzhen, China, where they helped the USA Women’s Basketball Team win is fourth-straight gold medal.
“The games were fun because we got to play against six different countries,” said Nneka. “Our toughest game was Australia, but we pulled it out. To play with my sister was great. Only one or two other pairs of sisters had done it before.”
Once Chiney made the team, the rest was gravy.
“I was really stressed going into the tryouts, but things worked out,” she said. “I was living out the dream and just happy to be playing with such good competition. I was pumped. I took so many pictures. I couldn’t imagine a better World University Games.”
There were also a few perks.
“They built this huge village for us and it was just remarkable,” said Nneka. “It was big enough to have its own zip code. Don’t tell Tara this, but they had a 24-hour McDonalds and the food was free! But we did not abuse it.”
It would be hard to find better ambassadors for Stanford than Nneka and Chiney. The girls grew up near Houston in Cypress, Texas, but feel right at home on the Farm. In fact, a day doesn’t go by that they don’t pinch themselves.
“It’s almost hard for me to really explain it,” said Nneka. “A lot of my friends at home ask me what it’s like; people have their own conception of it because of what they hear. Being at Stanford is a one-in-a-million experience, considering all the applicants. I think being a student-athlete at Stanford is also special because you don’t usually get a top-notch education and a top-notch athletic program. It’s more than any student could ever ask for.”
Added Chiney, “The Stanford experience is way more than academic; it’s a lifestyle. I love it and couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else. I feel at home because there’s so much to do when you step off the court.”
Although both figure to have opportunities in women’s professional basketball, that’s not the end all. Nneka wants to become an orthodontist and Chiney is pursuing a double major in international studies/communication.
“They are players that love to play, but they also have very high goals,” said VanDerveer.
What do they enjoy most about Stanford?
“I think what I take most out of being at Stanford is the relationships with the people I’ve met and how those people have shaped me as a person,” Nneka said. “I’m still learning every day—that’s the neat thing about Stanford. You gain knowledge every day.” Chiney concurred.
“You’re there for academics obviously, but being a basketball player just enhances the experience,” she said. “Being able to meet so many interesting students and compete—it’s honestly just the best experience.”
Besides, you never know who you will be seated next to in class.
“Some of them are sons and daughters of multi-millionaires,” said Nneka. “It’s just crazy how you can be in a class room with heir of Coca Cola or something.”
They are also extremely appreciative of their scholarship donors and have forged off-court friendships. Nneka’s donors are Eff and Patty Martin; Chiney’s are Nick and Nancy Vidalakis, Janice McCoy Miller, and Buzz and Barbara McCoy.
“He’s so nice, I cannot thank him enough,” Nneka said of Martin. “I think that’s one thing about Stanford that’s really important is that you come here and develop those relationships. I’ve had dinner at his house and I see him after every game and greet him and his family. It’s really the personal connections that set Stanford apart from other universities.”
Martin calls his connection with Nneka and her sister one of the highlights of his long-time involvement with Stanford.
“Nneka is an absolutely amazing person,” he said. “She has great depth, maturity, and a tremendous mind. At the same time, she has a lot of spirit and a wonderful sense of humor.”
Martin considers himself fortunate to have forged such a special bond with Nneka and her sister.
“One of the great things about being a scholarship donor is that you get to meet these great young people,” said Martin. “I’m thrilled to be associated with Nneka.”
Chiney feels the same way about Vidalakis.
“He is just an amazing guy,” she said. “He cheers for me harder than my parents do sometimes. I think it’s the biggest honor to have someone pay for my education, because otherwise I wouldn’t be experiencing that. I see him after every game.”
Said Vidalakis, “Being invested in Chiney gives us great joy, and greatly enhances our viewing pleasure. We have made many meaningful gifts over the years, but likely this is our favorite gift.”
As they prepare for the 2011–12 basketball season, the goal remains the same: to give themselves another opportunity to contend for another NCAA title. Chiney took last year’s Women’s Final Four loss especially hard and knows this is her last chance to win a championship with her sister. Nneka is equally motivated, but for another reason. If Stanford wins, it will bring a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Obama, a man both sisters are eager to meet.
“Basketball doesn’t determine our lives,” Nneka said. “But it sure would put some icing on the cake.”
Chiney couldn’t agree more.
“Honestly, in life, there is a bigger picture,” she said. “I’ve been lucky to play with her and it’s been an honor because she has been such a good role model. No matter what the outcome this coming year, as long as we keep pushing ourselves on the court, I think it will be a happy ending.”
Nneka, a senior, stands 6-foot-2 and is a two-time All-American. Chiney, a sophomore, is an inch taller, and was the Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year in 2010–11.
“First of all, they’re very talented and obviously very intelligent,” said Tara VanDerveer, the Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball. “Nneka is a great athlete. She really gets up and rebounds and runs the floor very well. She’s kind of the engine of the train.
“Chiney is kind of a scrapper. She’s a great offensive rebounder. They’re hard workers, good teammates and I think they bring a sisterhood to our team that’s a very positive thing.”
For opponents, they are double-trouble. Having played basketball together since they were youngsters, they can practically read each other’s minds, on and off the court.
“We’ve been doing that long before now,” said Nneka. “Rather than playing with four teammates, it’s almost like I’m playing with three. She’s like an extension on the court and I don’t have to really worry about knowing her game.”
Not that they don’t bug each other occasionally.
“We annoy each other as sisters do,” Chiney said. “I think the thing that annoys us the most is that we know what each other is going to do. It’s not a bad kind of annoying. It’s the kind that makes you laugh in practice when the coaches are annoyed with you.”
The dynamic duo helped lead Stanford to its fourth-consecutive Women’s Final Four appearance last year, eventually losing in the semi-finals to Texas A&M. For the season, Nneka averaged a Pac-10 Conference-best 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game, and has a chance to join Nicole Powell (2002–04) and Candice Wiggins (2005–08) as the school’s only three-time All-Americans. Chiney had a solid rookie season for the Cardinal, averaging 11.7 points and 8 rebounds per game and shot 57 percent from the field. She also recorded a team-high 52 steals.
Both sisters have been selected to the Preseason Wade Watch List for the State Farm Wade Trophy, comprising the top 25 players in the country. Previous Stanford winners include Jennifer Azzi in 1990 and Wiggins in 2008. More recently, the Ogwumikes have also been included on the John R. Wooden Award Pre-Season List.
“I think we’re pretty competitive, never with each other, just with what we’re doing,” said Chiney. “I remember in high school, I was really big into the student council my freshman and sophomore year and had all these projects, and the next thing you know, Nneka is running for student body president, which she won. We just kind of pushed ourselves to be the best students we could be.”
With a lot of love and support from their Nigerian-born parents, Ify and Peter.
“They taught me discipline and responsibility and are the reason I am who I am today,” Nneka said. “I know it sounds a little cliché, but it really is true that my mom and dad worked really hard to raise us right, and I think it has paid off.”
Recently, Nneka and Chiney traveled to Shenzhen, China, where they helped the USA Women’s Basketball Team win is fourth-straight gold medal.
“The games were fun because we got to play against six different countries,” said Nneka. “Our toughest game was Australia, but we pulled it out. To play with my sister was great. Only one or two other pairs of sisters had done it before.”
Once Chiney made the team, the rest was gravy.
“I was really stressed going into the tryouts, but things worked out,” she said. “I was living out the dream and just happy to be playing with such good competition. I was pumped. I took so many pictures. I couldn’t imagine a better World University Games.”
There were also a few perks.
“They built this huge village for us and it was just remarkable,” said Nneka. “It was big enough to have its own zip code. Don’t tell Tara this, but they had a 24-hour McDonalds and the food was free! But we did not abuse it.”
It would be hard to find better ambassadors for Stanford than Nneka and Chiney. The girls grew up near Houston in Cypress, Texas, but feel right at home on the Farm. In fact, a day doesn’t go by that they don’t pinch themselves.
“It’s almost hard for me to really explain it,” said Nneka. “A lot of my friends at home ask me what it’s like; people have their own conception of it because of what they hear. Being at Stanford is a one-in-a-million experience, considering all the applicants. I think being a student-athlete at Stanford is also special because you don’t usually get a top-notch education and a top-notch athletic program. It’s more than any student could ever ask for.”
Added Chiney, “The Stanford experience is way more than academic; it’s a lifestyle. I love it and couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else. I feel at home because there’s so much to do when you step off the court.”
Although both figure to have opportunities in women’s professional basketball, that’s not the end all. Nneka wants to become an orthodontist and Chiney is pursuing a double major in international studies/communication.
“They are players that love to play, but they also have very high goals,” said VanDerveer.
What do they enjoy most about Stanford?
“I think what I take most out of being at Stanford is the relationships with the people I’ve met and how those people have shaped me as a person,” Nneka said. “I’m still learning every day—that’s the neat thing about Stanford. You gain knowledge every day.” Chiney concurred.
“You’re there for academics obviously, but being a basketball player just enhances the experience,” she said. “Being able to meet so many interesting students and compete—it’s honestly just the best experience.”
Besides, you never know who you will be seated next to in class.
“Some of them are sons and daughters of multi-millionaires,” said Nneka. “It’s just crazy how you can be in a class room with heir of Coca Cola or something.”
They are also extremely appreciative of their scholarship donors and have forged off-court friendships. Nneka’s donors are Eff and Patty Martin; Chiney’s are Nick and Nancy Vidalakis, Janice McCoy Miller, and Buzz and Barbara McCoy.
“He’s so nice, I cannot thank him enough,” Nneka said of Martin. “I think that’s one thing about Stanford that’s really important is that you come here and develop those relationships. I’ve had dinner at his house and I see him after every game and greet him and his family. It’s really the personal connections that set Stanford apart from other universities.”
Martin calls his connection with Nneka and her sister one of the highlights of his long-time involvement with Stanford.
“Nneka is an absolutely amazing person,” he said. “She has great depth, maturity, and a tremendous mind. At the same time, she has a lot of spirit and a wonderful sense of humor.”
Martin considers himself fortunate to have forged such a special bond with Nneka and her sister.
“One of the great things about being a scholarship donor is that you get to meet these great young people,” said Martin. “I’m thrilled to be associated with Nneka.”
Chiney feels the same way about Vidalakis.
“He is just an amazing guy,” she said. “He cheers for me harder than my parents do sometimes. I think it’s the biggest honor to have someone pay for my education, because otherwise I wouldn’t be experiencing that. I see him after every game.”
Said Vidalakis, “Being invested in Chiney gives us great joy, and greatly enhances our viewing pleasure. We have made many meaningful gifts over the years, but likely this is our favorite gift.”
As they prepare for the 2011–12 basketball season, the goal remains the same: to give themselves another opportunity to contend for another NCAA title. Chiney took last year’s Women’s Final Four loss especially hard and knows this is her last chance to win a championship with her sister. Nneka is equally motivated, but for another reason. If Stanford wins, it will bring a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Obama, a man both sisters are eager to meet.
“Basketball doesn’t determine our lives,” Nneka said. “But it sure would put some icing on the cake.”
Chiney couldn’t agree more.
“Honestly, in life, there is a bigger picture,” she said. “I’ve been lucky to play with her and it’s been an honor because she has been such a good role model. No matter what the outcome this coming year, as long as we keep pushing ourselves on the court, I think it will be a happy ending.”
