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Notre Dame Women’s Basketball: Arike Ogunbowale selected 5th overall to the Dallas Wings

By Ben Belden

TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts a shot against DiDi Richards #2 of the Baylor Lady Bears during the first quarter in the championship game of the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four at Amalie Arena on April 07, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 07: Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts a shot against DiDi Richards #2 of the Baylor Lady Bears during the first quarter in the championship game of the 2019 NCAA Women's Final Four at Amalie Arena on April 07, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Arike Ogunbowale has been, without a doubt, a legendary player for Notre Dame women’s basketball. Now she’s on her way to Dallas in the WNBA draft.

Arike Ogunbowale certainly has her place etched in the history books for Notre Dame women’s basketball. Without a doubt, Ogunbowale is one of the Notre Dame’s most decorated basketball players on either the men’s or women’s side.

Despite having her career end in disappointment, Ogunbowale will be remembered as nothing short of a legend. Having hit two of the most clutch shots in NCAA tournament history, Ogunbowale has plenty of WNBA appeal.

Ogunbowale is a prolific scorer. That makes her a natural fit on any WNBA roster. She is electric in the open floor on the fast break, with a midrange dribble pull-up that will leave even the best WNBA defenders scratching their heads.

In being selected by the Dallas Wings, Ogunbowale joins another former Irish star in Skylar Diggins-Smith. It is unclear when the two will have the opportunity to team up, however, as Diggins-Smith awaits the birth of her first child, putting her season in question.

Where Ogunbowale will have to improve in her professional career is her court vision. If there is the tiniest chink in her armor, it is her ability to get others involved, but even that improved as her career her progressed in South Bend. There is little doubt that Ogunbowale will continue her development in the WNBA.

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In all, Dallas got a big-game player–one who is at her best when the lights are the brightest–in Ogunbowale. Her passion for the game and her overall basketball IQ are what set Ogunbowale apart from many of her counterparts. Dallas got a steal at the 5th overall pick.