NEW YORK, June 4, 2014  Chiney Ogwumike of the Connecticut Sun was named the WNBAs Rookie of the Month presented by Samsung, for games played in May.

The Eastern and Western Conference Player of the Month awards, as well as the WNBA Rookie of the Month, are presented by Samsung and are part of the larger WNBA Performance Awards presented by Samsung program. This marks the first season that Samsung, an official WNBA marketing partner, will present the WNBAs highest individual honors, including the WNBA Most Valuable Player, WNBA Most Improved Player, WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

For the month of May, Ogwumike led all rookies in points (17.2 ppg), rebounds (9.2 rpg), blocks (1.8 bpg), and minutes (32.2 mpg). Overall, she led the league in total offensive rebounds (24) and was in the top ten in points, rebounds, and minutes played, while ranking fourth in blocks. Ogwumike contributed a double-double with career highs in points (25) and steals (4) to go along with 10 rebounds and three blocks in a 90-87 loss to the defending champion Minnesota Lynx on May 18. She also had a career-best 15 rebounds in a 79-65 loss to the Indiana Fever on May 29.

The first overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm is currently tied with two others for the league lead in double-doubles (4) and has posted double digits in scoring in each of the Suns seven games. The Sun has posted a 2-5 record thus far.

Highlights of Ogwumikes month included:

 May 18 vs. Minnesota: Career highs in points (25) and steals (4) along with 10 rebounds in a 90-87 loss.

 May 29 vs. Indiana: Scored 18 points and posted career highs in rebounds (15) and offensive rebounds (8) in a 79-65 loss.

 May 30 vs. Chicago: Tied a career high in blocks (3), while posting a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds).



For more information on this year's WNBA Performance Awards presented by Samsung, visit www.wnba.com/awards.