Nneka Ogwumike wins the WNBA’s 2019 sportsmanship award

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks signs autographs after the game against the Minnesota Lynx on September 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 8: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks signs autographs after the game against the Minnesota Lynx on September 8, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The WNBA named Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike the 2019 winner of the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, the league announced Sunday.

Each season the award is presented to a player “who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, including ethical behavior, fair play and integrity,” according to the league’s press release.

Ogwumike received the award ahead of the Sparks second-round single-elimination playoff game against the Seattle Storm on Sunday. She is the second Sparks player to receive the sportsmanship award in its history after Haixia Zheng received it in 1997. Ogwumike was also named to 2019’s All-Defensive first team.

Also receiving votes were  Jasmine Thomas and Elizabeth Williams with six, A’ja Wilson with five, Danielle Robinson and LaToya Sanders with four, Courtney Vandersloot with three, and Candice Dupree, Leilani Mitchell and Sami Whitcomb with two. Rounding out were Chelsea Gray and Tanisha Wright with one vote each.

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