The 2016 WNBA MVP shares her alternative career

Joel Embiid?s WNBA ?doppelganger,? Nneka Ogwumike was drafted as the #1 pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2012 WNBA draft. Ever since then, she has been a crucial piece for the team, bringing in her basketball prowess along with her leadership skills. Ogwumike has been an important player for the LA Sparks during the 2023 season too, starting 12 of the team’s 13 games. With averages of 19.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and a career-high 3.5 assists per game, her play has been nothing short of exceptional.

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Notably, Nneka Ogwumike now holds the record for most steals in franchise history with 507. She has cemented her place in the LA Sparks’ annals with this accomplishment. Furthermore, she is also the recipient of the Western Conference Player Award.

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Joel Embiid wanted to pursue professional volleyball

Joel Embiid grew up in an upper-middle-class household in Yaound?, Cameroon. He initially considered enrolling at the National Institute for Sports and Physical Education (INSEP) in France with the goal of becoming a professional volleyball player. Football (soccer) and volleyball were the main sports he played when he was younger. On the other hand, basketball had a very small impact on his life.

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However, things changed after he saw Kobe Bryant dominate the 2010 NBA Finals, which piqued his interest in the sport. Despite entering the sport somewhat late, at the age of 16, Embiid’s natural talent was recognized. Luc Mbah a Moute, a former NBA player, noticed him at a Basketball Without Borders program in Yaound?. This crucial turning point resulted in a scholarship offer from Florida’s Montverde Academy, where he embarked on his basketball journey.

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Ranjitha Ramesh

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Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars. Ranjitha closely follows post-game interviews and analyses, constantly striving to learn more about the game and its players. Ranjitha looks up to the entertaining duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley and very much enjoys their banter-filled insights into the world of basketball.

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Aayush Kapoor