Nneka Sums up her Season and Looks Ahead

ST. LOUIS, MO -- Nnemkadi "Nneka" Ogwumike and her Stanford Cardinal teammates lost 83 to 64 to the Connecticut Huskies Sunday night in a national semifinal game of the 2009 NCAA Women's Final Four. Though her team lost, Ogwumike (6'2", freshman forward) is very proud of her team's successful season. Stanford finished the season 33 and 5. Ogwumike played 26 minutes in the semifinal game and scored 13 points (6 for 12 from the field) and pulled down 12 rebounds (7 offensive rebounds).

(What are your thoughts on the game?)
"We came out with everything we had. UConn is a phenomenal team; and, they hit some great shots. Our goal was to keep on playing together and not lose our composure; and, I think we did a really good job of doing that."

(on defending Connecticut All-American Maya Moore)
"It's very difficult because she can get her shot off in any way. I practiced a lot trying to defend her. It wasn't easy. It definitely wasn't easy trying to guard the Wade Trophy winner / All-American; but, I definitely had to say she's a wonderful player and I tried my best guarding her."

(What did you learn from the Final Four experience and the game itself?)
"It's like no other experience. Definitely. It's absolutely one of the best experiences I will ever experience with this group of people. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm not looking anywhere else but ahead for our team; and, how much they've accomplished. I'm just really proud of everyone right now."

(What did Coach (Stanford head coach Tara VanDerveer say to the team after the game?)
"She said that she was very proud of us. She said that UConn, granted, is a very good team. They hit a lot of shots. Our shots weren't going in. She said that she knew that we tried our best and that we kept on staying together."

(What are you going to work on this summer?)
"Probably my outside shot. Definitely. I think that's what I'm going to work on. Maybe a little bit of ball handling. (laughing) I want to take it one step at a time. I don't want to try to work on too much at once; but, gradually, I things will come if I practice a lot and work really hard in the off-season."

(What are your summer plans?)
"I have to try out for the (USA Basketball) Under 19 Team; so, depending on that, I'll probably be practicing and getting better. If I make the team, I'll be in Colorado Springs then we'll go play in Bangkok, Thailand; but, if I don't make the team, I'm just going to keep on practicing. Then, I'll probably be at home."

(Describe your thoughts about being invited to try out for the U19 Team)
"That's definitely wonderful! I was astounded when I was accepted the first two times. I mean the first time was the Festival and the second time we won a gold medal. I am ecstatic that they picked me again. I get to play with people that I played against during the season and that's a lot of fun."

(Talk about playing in the PAC 10 this season)
"It was definitely an experience. The tempo of the game is just ridiculous in college; and, playing in the PAC 10, we have several different types of teams. We have different types of players to guard. You just learn a lot about other teams. I think playing in the PAC 10 really prepared us (for the NCAA Tournament)."

(Talk about the Houston area talent that participated in the WBCA High School All-America Game.)
"Oh! Kelsey Bone (Dulles High School); Brittney Griner (Aldine Nimitz HS). Number 1 and number 2, right?! I'm proud of them. I'm glad that they got to experience the All-Star Game; and, I know that they're going to do well at Baylor (Griner) and South Carolina (Bone)."