OGWUMIKE Erica

General
WNBA DRAFT AND FURTHER EDUCATION
She was selected in the third round, 26th overall pick, in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, before having her rights traded to the Minnesota Lynx. She was then waived by the Minnesota Lynx and opted to study for a medicine degree at the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, United States of America. "I was planning my life as if basketball was going to be done. I was applying to medical school and interviewing all throughout my basketball season. So when I got drafted in April, it was surprising. I think I just love the multidimensionality of medicine. When I shadowed doctors, I saw how they are involved in policy, education, correcting health disparities, and improving social issues - all these things I want to do. And they all have to work together and with other professionals as a team and have to communicate well. I was like, 'Wow, this is one big basketball team. I've been doing this my whole life'. They pretty much do the same thing as athletes which are teamwork, communication, and leadership." (utsouthwestern.edu, 13 Oct 2020; LinkedIn profile, 01 Aug 2020; texasbasketball.com, 21 Jul 2020; highposthoops.com, 26 May 2020; riceowls.com, 17 Apr 2020)

REPRESENTING NIGERIA
Born in the United States of America, she chose to represent Nigeria. "Being Nigerian-American my parents have always kept us close with our culture and where we came from so it not only seemed like a fun opportunity but also one I hold with the utmost respect and honour to be able to do so if possible. Growing up in the USA never put a hindrance on our Nigerian culture because our parents did an excellent job continuing to educate us and keep us aware. It's simply been a dream of mine to compete for Nigeria in the Olympics some day." (fiba.basketball, 14 May 2020)