Photos Of WNBA Star, Arike Ogunbowale & Her Wife On Their Wedding Day

Dallas Wings superstar guard Arike Ogunbowale has tied the knot with her longtime partner, social media influencer Lala Ronay, in a same-sex union.

The Nigerian-American WNBA star made the announcement on her Instagram page over the weekend, sharing loved-up photos from their private ceremony. Ogunbowale simply wrote: “Here’s to a lifetime of us ♾️ 02.24.26.”

The wedding took place on February 24, 2026, though the couple kept details of the event under wraps. Fans and fellow WNBA players, including Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston, have since flooded their pages with congratulatory messages.

Ogunbowale, 29, remains one of the brightest talents in women’s basketball. Born in Milwaukee to a Nigerian father, Gregory Ogunbowale, and American mother Yolanda, she carries her Yoruba roots proudly. Her name “Arike” means a treasured child in Yoruba, and she has often spoken about how her Nigerian upbringing shaped her relentless work ethic on and off the court.

The four-time WNBA All-Star was drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Wings in 2019. She quickly established herself as a scoring machine, leading the league in points in 2020 and earning All-WNBA honours. Off the court, she has used her platform to push for education reform and greater opportunities for female athletes.

Lala Ronay, a digital content creator, has been by Ogunbowale’s side for years. The pair got engaged in May 2024 after a heartfelt proposal that Ogunbowale also shared publicly.

While same-sex marriage continues to spark debate in Nigeria, where it remains illegal, the development has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. Many still celebrate Ogunbowale’s on-court achievements and her representation of Nigerian roots, regardless of her personal life choices.

NaijaChoice News understands the news has sparked excitement among Nigerian sports fans at home and in the diaspora, many of whom see Ogunbowale as a shining example of excellence rooted in Nigerian heritage.

As the WNBA season approaches and free agency looms in April, the newlywed says she is focused on building both her legacy on the court and her future with Ronay.

Congratulations continue to pour in from across the basketball world. Many are already calling it one of the beautiful love stories in women’s sports this year.