Sabrina Ionescu - The Student Becomes the Teacher
BASKETBALL - POINT GUARD - WNBA - NY LIBERTY
ARCHETYPE: THE STUDENT BECOMES THE TEACHER
Day 97/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Sabrina Ionescu is one of the most highly touted college players to ever get drafted into the WNBA.
As a kid, Ionescu was always competitive, playing sports with and against her twin brother Eddy. But she went to a middle school that didn’t have enough players to field a girls team, and when she attempted to try out for the boys’ team, she was prohibited. According to Ionescu, “My middle school said I should be playing with dolls. Seriously, word-for-word."
In high school, Ionescu was a four-year varsity starter, finally getting the chance to showcase her phenomenal passing, scoring, and rebounding abilities. By her senior year, she had received national recognition, including:
USA Today Girls Basketball Player of the Year
Max Preps Player of the Year
Cal-Hi Sports Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year
California’s Gatorade State Player of the Year
Jordan Brand All-American
McDonald's All-American
McDonald's All-America game MVP
Ionescu attended the University of Oregon, racking up one of the most impressive college careers for any individual player. As a freshman, she was selected as USBWA National Freshman of the Year and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
As a sophomore, Ionescu led the Ducks to their first Pac-12 championship since 2000 and was named Pac-12 Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year and first team All-American by ESPN. She won the Nancy Lieberman Award, given to the top Division I point guard. In just her first two seasons, Ionescu had already become the NCAA women’s all-time leader in triple doubles.
In her 2019 junior season, Ionescu led Oregon to their first Final Four and won the John R. Wooden Award, given to the most outstanding player of the year. Because of her age, Ionescu was eligible for the WNBA draft and projected to be a top pick for the year. But she wanted to win a national championship, so decided to stay at Oregon for her senior season to complete that “unfinished business.”
In her senior season, Ionescu was the biggest name in college ball, and for good reason. She broke Gary Payton’s Pac-12 assist record and became the first NCAA player to ever record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds in a career. She more than doubled the Division I record for triple doubles, previously held by BYU's Kyle Collinsworth (12), recording 26 over her college career. She won the Honda Sports Award as the best collegiate female basketball player in the nation, and was on track to lead the Ducks through the NCAA tournament, until COVID hit and ended the season abruptly.
Ionescu was the first pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft, selected by the New York Liberty. In her second game, she recorded a 33-7-7 stat line but four days later, was sidelined with a grade 3 ankle sprain that kept her out for the rest of the Wubble season.
This season, Ionescu looks sharp at the helm for the Liberty. She’s got undeniable court chemistry with Betnijah Laney and rookie Michaela Onyenwere, and the Liberty have been off to a surprisingly good start, given how young the team’s core is.
Character Archetype: The Student Becomes the Teacher
The Student Becomes the Teacher
As starting point guard for the New York Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu is an up-and-coming star of the WNBA. Last month, at age 23, she became the youngest player to ever record a triple double in the league. It was the first one ever recorded in the 25 year history of the Liberty franchise.
When the Liberty selected Ionescu as the first pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, they knew they were getting a complete player who would only getting better by competing against bigger, more experienced, and more skilled opponents in the W. She can create her own shot, has phenomenal court vision, and pulls down boards like someone a foot taller.
Ionescu’s game attracted looks from some of the best men’s players, including Steve Nash, Steph Curry, and the late great Kobe Bryant, all of whom have mentored, coached, and worked out with her. And that’s amazing. Truly. Because although the WNBA has existed for Ionescu’s entire life, it sure hasn’t been televised like the NBA. And so it was easier to model her game after Steph Curry’s than say Stephanie White.
But now, the WNBA is growing in popularity and visibility. Now, we get to see Ionescu’s buzzer beaters and triple doubles. Now, girls and boys can watch her play, can look to her for guidance on how to grow their game. With what she knows from the best men’s players, and what she’ll learn as one of the best women’s players, Ionescu is sure to grow the game.