An activist, creator, and basketball star, Arike Ogunbowale, DSHA ’15, is redefining the career a women's basketball player can have. Less than three years ago, Ogunbowale hit two of the most famous shots in college basketball history to win a national title at the University of Notre Dame and hasn't slowed down since. During her first three years in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings, Ogunbowale was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team (2019), earned the WNBA scoring title (2020), was twice named All-WNBA, and was the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game MVP. In June 2021, she became No. 7 on the WNBA's all-time consecutive double-figure scoring list. Leveraging her platform as a professional athlete, Ogunbowale is passionate about uplifting young female athletes, breaking down barriers for participation in sports, and supporting racial and social justice initiatives. As a current resident of Dallas, she has served as a community leader committed to supporting programs that empower and celebrate women and girls, promote diversity and inclusivity, and provide opportunities for youth to develop their abilities. She was honored for her work off the court in July 2021, receiving the WNBA Cares Community Assist Award.
While a student athlete at DSHA from 2011-2015, Ogunbowale led her team to a 2015 WIAA State Basketball Championship. She was named the Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 seasons. She remains the all-time leading scorer at DSHA in points, assists, and rebounds.
Ogunbowale credits, in part, her time at DSHA to the success she has had throughout her time at Notre Dame and in her current role as a guard with Dallas Wings. “DSHA specifically helped me with my confidence. The faculty and staff truly believes in students and wants them to be great,” she says of her time as a Dasher.
Her hope and message for current Dashers is this: “It is okay to think you’re one of the best at whatever you do. Of course, always remain humble and grateful. But in order to be great you have to believe in yourself. That humble confidence will take you a long way.”
Arike Ogunbowale | Basketball Bio
WNBA | Dallas Wings
- 2021 WNBA All-Star Game MVP
- 2021 All-WNBA Second Team
- July 2021 WNBA Cares Community Assist Award
- 2020 WNBA Scoring Champion
- 2020 All-WNBA First Team
- 2019 WNBA All-Rookie
NCAA | University of Notre Dame
- Notre Dame Women's Basketball All-Time Leading Scorer
- NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
- 2x Associated Press and espnW All-American
- 2018 NCAA National Champion
WIAA High School | DSHA Varsity Basketball
- Wisconsin State Champion 2015
- Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year: 2013, 2014, & 2015
- 2015 All-American Honors: WBCA All-American, Naismith Trophy second-team All-American, USA Today All-USA Second Team, Parade All-American, Finalist for the Morgan Wootten Award, McDonald’s High School All-American
- First Team All-State All Four Years
- AP Wisconsin Player of the Year: 2014 & 2015
- Wisconsin Miss Basketball, 2015
- First Team All-State All Four Years
- All-Time Leader in Points (2,240)
- All-Time Leader Assists (365)
- All-Time Leader in Rebounds (996)
- All-Time Leader in 2-Point Field Goals Made (719)
- All-Time Leader in Free Throws Made (380-535)
- Second All-Time in Steals (261)
- Third All-Time in 3-Point Field Goals Made (140-417)
- Season Records:
- Points Scored (763)
- Rebounds (307)
- Assists (112)
- 2014-2015 Team Records:
- All Time Leader | 26 wins
- 2nd in Scoring Average | 61.9 points per game
DSHA Varsity Basketball | Notable Accomplishments by Season
2011-2012, Freshman Year | Helped the team to a 17-6 overall record and a second-place finish in the Greater Metro Conference. Led the team in points (399), rebounds (192), assists (82) and steals (44). Greater Metro Conference First Team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-State, Journal-Sentinel All-Area First Team, USA Today All-USA Wisconsin First Team
2012-2013, Sophomore Year | Helped the team to a 21-4 overall record and a second-place finish in the Greater Metro Conference. Led the team in points (510), rebounds (240), assists (112) and steals (77) WIAA Regional Championship, WIAA Sectional Runner-Up, Greater Metro Conference First Team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-State, Journal-Sentinel All-Area First Team, Journal-Sentinel Area Player of the Year, USA Today All-USA Wisconsin First Team, AP Wisconsin Player of the Year, Gatorade Wisconsin High School Player of the Year
2013-2014, Junior Year | Helped her team to a 20-5 overall record and a first-place finish in the Greater Metro Conference. Served as the team captain. Led the team in points (568), rebounds (307), assists (94), and steals (70) WIAA Regional Championship, Greater Metro Conference First Team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-State, Journal-Sentinel All-Area First Team, Journal-Sentinel Area Player of the Year, USA Today All-USA Wisconsin First Team, AP Wisconsin Player of the Year, Gatorade Wisconsin High School Player of the Year
2014-2015, Senior Year | Helped her team to a 22-2 overall record and an undefeated 14-0 first-place finish in the Greater Metro Conference. Captain. Led the team in points (763), rebounds (257), assists (77), and steals (70) WIAA Regional Championship, WIAA Sectional Championship, WIAA D1 State Championship (first in school history), WIAA State All-Tournament Team, Greater Metro Conference First Team All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-State, Journal-Sentinel All-Area First Team, Journal-Sentinel Area Player of the Year, USA Today All-USA Wisconsin First Team, AP Wisconsin Player of the Year, Gatorade Wisconsin High School Player of the Year, USA Today Wisconsin Player of the Year, Wisconsin Miss Basketball, WBCA All-American, Naismith Trophy second-team All-American, USA Today All-USA Second Team, Parade All-American, Finalist for the Morgan Wootten Award, McDonald’s High School All-American (just the third Wisconsin native ever to earn McDonald’s All-American status)