FAIRFIELD-SUISUN, CALIFORNIA
Why UCLA’s Michaela Onyenwere is no longer silent on and off the court [Los Angeles Times :: BC-BKW-UCLA-ONYENWERE:LA]
For two years at UCLA, people pronounced Michaela Onyenwere’s name as “On-yen-where.” It was listed as so in the media guide. The public address announcer called it out at Pauley Pavilion during starting lineups. Her coaches said it during interviews with reporters.
It wasn’t correct.
“Own-yen-way-day,” she clarified for ESPN’s Holly Rowe during an interview in March 2019.
The 6-foot forward had already earned her first All-Pac-12 honor and led the Bruins to their fourth consecutive NCAA regional semifinal before speaking up. She has not stopped using her voice since.