Arike Ogunbowale explains ‘the politics’ that caused her to pull out of Olympic consideration

Arike Ogunbowale is confident in her skills.

The Dallas Wings guard, who was named MVP of Saturday’s WNBA All-Star game , expanded further about her decision to take herself out of consideration for the Paris Olympics, which begin July 26.

“I know myself and what I see, and I wasn’t feeling like they really wanted me on that team, so I just removed myself,” Ogunbowale, 27, said during an appearance on “SportsCenter” on Sunday.

“Because it is a process to, you know, keep your name in the pool and having to go to these things [Team USA camps]. So if I already knew and felt that I wasn’t going to be on the team, I just removed myself from that.”

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Ogunbowale explained there were “flags” that contributed to her decision, but did not elaborate.

“When I said ‘politics,’ I was just referring to sports in general, and it’s not even just women’s basketball. I see it all across just sports in general … There are some great players that aren’t on some teams. There are some players that aren’t that good that are on teams.

“I’m not just specifically talking about USA Basketball. When I said, ‘politics’ I’m just speaking in general just obviously being involved in basketball my whole life. I’ve been a part of some things that were political, whether it was college [or] WNBA. So, I kind of just said it like that.

Arike Ogunbowale took her name out of US Olympic pool: ‘Politics in everything’

“There were flags and things that I just felt. But at the end of the day, they choose who they want to going to choose, and that has nothing to go with me. I’m very confident and comfortable in myself and my skills. So whether I’m on the team, or not on the team, I’m still blessed to play the game. God has blessed me with my abilities and I’m just going to keep doing what I do.”

After she was named the MVP of the 2024 WNBA All-Star game — having led Team WNBA to a 117-109 win over Team USA — her brother, Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale, tweeted , “An all-time team USA snub” with a crying-laughing emoji.

Ogunbowale, who finished with 34 points (an All-Star game record), three rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes, later explained that she played through multiple injuries.

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Ogunbowale was asked about the Olympics after she discussed the politics of basketball during an appearance on the “Nightcap” podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco last month.

“When it comes to [the Olympic trials], it really doesn’t have much to do with your game,” the four-time WNBA All-Star said. “It’s really about who they feel like fits with the team. So, I actually took my name out the pool months ago.

“That’s not saying I didn’t think maybe last year I would be on the team, and I was good enough to make the team. But when the list came out, I knew I would not be that one … It’s subjective who they think should be on the team. Everybody’s great in the WNBA, so who they choose is who they choose.

“I can’t really speak to USA Basketball in general, but just when I think of women’s basketball in college and pro, politics has always surrounded it. Whether that’s USA Basketball, whether that’s All-Star teams, whether that’s first team and stuff like that, there’s politics. Even with the men’s [basketball teams]. There’s politics in everything, so I’m gonna just leave it at that.”

Ogunbowale, also the MVP of the 2021 WNBA All-Star game, currently leads the WNBA in steals and minutes heading into the Olympics break.

The 2024 Olympic Games are set for July 26-Aug. 11 with the women’s 5-on-5 basketball competition taking place from July 27-Aug. 11, and the preliminary round occurring in Lille, France.

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