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Basketball: Sparks coach Derek Fisher not happy about Nneka Ogwumike's snub from Team USA

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Field Level Media/Reuters

<p>Los Angeles Sparks coach Derek Fisher did not hold back Tuesday when asked about star forward Nneka Ogwumike&#x27;s omission from the United States national team for the 2020 Olympics.</p><p>&quot;Where do I start? We&#x27;re pissed, honestly,&quot; Fisher said. &quot;Nothing has to be &#x27;given&#x27; to her. She earned it and she deserves it. That&#x27;s the most frustrating and disappointing part.&quot;</p><p>Ogwumike, a six-time All-Star and 2016 WNBA MVP, has never competed at the Olympics, missing out in 2012 and 2016. She has won gold medals at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Championships.</p><p>She has also attended every Team USA camp over the past few seasons and led the team in scoring.</p><p>&quot;To think that she might go through her career and never play for Team USA and the Olympics is a freaking travesty,&quot; Fisher added.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/22/21/nba-lebron-james-violated-covid-19-protocol-says-report">NBA: LeBron James violated COVID-19 protocol, says report</a></li></ul><p>Other notable omissions from the team include former WNBA MVPs Elena Della Donne and Candace Parker.</p><p>Ogwumike was drafted No. 1 overall in 2012 by the Sparks and proceeded to win Rookie of the Year. For her career, she has averaged 16.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.</p><p>She has not played since June 1 due to a left knee sprain, and Team USA coach Dawn Staley implied Monday that her injury played a role in her missing out.</p><p>But Fisher said Ogwumike will be back and healthy before the Olympics start, making it a moot point.</p><p>&quot;You can try to throw the injury out there if you want to; I&#x27;m calling BS on that, too,&quot; Fisher said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/08/21/nba-fines-76ers-president-daryl-morey-after-steph-curry-tweet">NBA fines 76ers president Daryl Morey after Steph Curry tweet</a></li></ul><p>Fisher is not the only one to express displeasure at Ogwumike&#x27;s snub.</p><p>Nneka&#x27;s sister, Chiney Ogwumike, tweeted yesterday about the decision, saying it is the second time her family has been &quot;heartbroken for her&quot; after being snubbed during her 2016 MVP season.</p><p>&quot;No one practices harder. Plays harder. Cares more. No one is a better teammate or leader,&quot; Chiney wrote.</p><p>Nneka Ogwumike has not commented publicly on the matter.</p><div><strong>--Field Level Media</strong></div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3ABccwx4l2s?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Los Angeles Sparks coach Derek Fisher did not hold back Tuesday when asked about star forward Nneka Ogwumike's omission from the United States national team for the 2020 Olympics.</p>

Los Angeles Sparks coach Derek Fisher did not hold back Tuesday when asked about star forward Nneka Ogwumike's omission from the United States national team for the 2020 Olympics.