Michaela Onyenwere celebrates time with Avenida ahead of return to Phoenix Mercury

Nigerian-American basketball player Michaela Nne Onyenwere has departed Liga Femenina de Baloncesto side CB Perfumerias Avenida, Salamanca.

The 23-year-old joined the Avenida in Salamanca, Spain following the conclusion of the 2022 WNBA season.

Onyewere had an incredible season with Avenida leading them to the quarterfinals of the women's EuroLeague.

After five months of action, Onyewere is now set to return to the WNBA with Avenida in good standing.

Before leaving, Onyewere helped Avendia record a 72-57 victory against Barcelona CBS in a second-leg semifinal play-off fixture on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Onyenwere took to social media to celebrate her time with Avenida and celebrated her bond with the team.

Along with a video of her time with Avenida was a message that said, "What a ride these last 5 months have been. 

"Thank you all for embracing me from the beginning & welcoming me to the team. It’s meant so much to me! 

"Salamanca will always have a place in my heart 🫶🏾 I’ll miss you all but I’ll be rooting as loud as I can! Go win the chip!."

Onyenwere was traded from the New York Liberty to the Phoenix Mercury in a four-team deal earlier this year.

The Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, Chicago Sky, and Dallas Wings all worked together in exchange for players and assets.

A four-way trade sends Onyenwere to Phoenix, Marina Mabrey to Chicago, Diamond DeShields to Dallas, and the Rights to Leonie Fiebich to New York.

The Mercury receive the 2024 3rd round pick from Chicago and the 2025 2nd round pick from Chicago.

Onyenwere spent four years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins women's basketball program 

Born in the United States to Nigerian immigrants in Aurora, Colorado, Onyenwere is still eligible to play for Nigeria's senior women's team known as D'Tigress.