Ogwumike receives Gatorade National Player of the Year
Cy-Fair High School senior Chiney Ogwumike speaks from the podium in the Cy-Fair auditorium while her future teammates at Stanford—including older sister Nneka—listen in via Skype.
Ogwumike holds the 2009-2010 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year trophy while standing next to the banner bearing her name. |
March 25, 2010 — Cy-Fair High School senior Chiney Ogwumike received one of the highest honors a high school athlete can achieve this afternoon when she accepted the 2009-2010 Gatorade National High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year award at the high school.
Over the past 24 years, more than 10,500 state and 200 national Gatorade Players of the Year have been honored for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.
Ogwumike’s older sister, Nneka, a 2008 Cy-Fair graduate and current player for Stanford University, won the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in 2008.
“Two years ago, Nneka was here in this position and it was awesome. At the time that was one honor I really tried to work for but I didn’t think I was going to accomplish it,” Chiney said in her acceptance speech. “I thought the most important thing was representing the school and playing the sport we love and trying to win state championships. We were able to accomplish that this year with a lot of hard work. Receiving this honor is just icing on the cake.”
Nneka and her teammates at Stanford—where Chiney will play next season—joined the presentation ceremony to congratulate Chiney through a live Skype feed.
“Congratulations on your state championship and to you, Chiney, on this special award. We’re very happy and proud for you here,” Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said through the feed.
A representative from Gatorade presents Ogwumike with the Player of the Year trophy. |
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