“With the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft… The New York Liberty select… Sabrina Ionescu, Oregon University.”

New York sports gained another superstar on Friday, April 17. Ionescu was expected to be picked first overall, and the New York Liberty made a great decision.

Ionescu’s stats speak for themselves. While at Oregon, she led the PAC-12 conference in scoring, averaging 19.7 points per game, as well as in assists, averaging 7.8 per game. In addition, Ionescu is the NCAA all-time leader in triple-doubles. Ionescu totaled 2,562 points, 1,040 rebounds and 1,091 assists during her collegiate career, making her the only athlete in NCAA basketball history with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists.

Her hardware collection includes the Naismith trophy, which goes to the top men’s and women’s college basketball players every year. Also, Ionescu is a two-time Wade Trophy winner, with the most recent award being in 2020. The trophy goes to the top NCAA Division I women’s basketball player every year. 

Ionescu is elite, and she even shared a close relationship with former NBA star Kobe Bryant. Ionescu spoke at Kobe’s public memorial at the Staples Center. After Ionescu was drafted on Friday, she put out an Instagram post saying, “I know you’re looking down on me smiling. We did it. I got drafted #1. More work to do. Love and miss you.”

After Ionescu was drafted, general manager of the New York Liberty, Jonathan Kolb, said, “It’s a historic night for the New York Liberty… Sabrina is a generational player whose resume speaks for itself and we are thrilled to have her as our first-ever No.1 pick. We look forward to adding her to the Liberty family, as we work to reestablish ourselves as one of the top teams in the league for years to come.”

Photo Courtesy of David Zalubowski