Sabrina Ionescu college career: NCAA stats, awards, accolades and more of former Oregon star
Sabrina Ionescu played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks for four years (2016-2020). The California native chose the Mighty Ducks over powerhouses like UConn, Tennessee, Baylor, Washington and Notre Dame. Ionescu wanted to spearhead a dynasty instead of being part of an established one.
The guard entered college being named the All-USA Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She averaged nearly 25.3 points, 8.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds and 4.5 steals in her senior year for Miramonte.
Sabrina Ionescu was immediately handed a starting role in her freshman year and averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals. She was honored with Pac-12 All-Freshman, Pac-12 Rookie of the Year, USBWA Freshman of the Year and All-Pac-12 recognitions.
In her sophomore year, Ionescu led the NCAA in most points produced. She led the conference in 19.7 points and 7.8 assists per game. She established a Pac-12 single-season record for assists (298). It resulted in her second All-Pac-12 selection, the Nancy Lieberman Award and AP All-America.
In the 2018-19 season, Ionescu led the NCAA in assists (311) and averaged a career-best 19.9 points, 8.2 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game. She also led Oregon to its first appearance in the Final Four.
She earned the Wade Trophy (national player of the year) and Wooden Award (most outstanding player in women’s college basketball). Ionescu stellar season also landed her WBCA First-Team All-America, ESPNW First-Team All-America, and AP First-Team All-America selections.
Sabrina Ionescu earned most silverware in her senior year, including the Wooden Award, Wade Trophy, Naismith Award and AP Player of the Year. She was the NCAA's assist leader for the second straight year and averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 assists, 8.6 rebounds (Pac-12 defensive rebound leader) and 1.5 steals.
Having solidified herself as one of the best players in women’s college basketball history, the New York Liberty selected Ionescu with the first pick of the 2020 WNBA draft.
Sabrina Ionescu is focused on lifting the 2024 WNBA trophy
The New York Liberty were put against the WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals. Behind consistent performances by Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty closed the series 3-1 to enter the WNBA Finals. Their only loss came when she struggled heavily from the floor, shooting 1-7 for four points.
Throughout the post-season, Sabrina Ionescu has led New York in points (20.7), assists (5.2) and steals (1.5) per game, matching Breanna Stewart’s stature as the team’s leader.
So, when her team huddled after sending Aces home, the former Mighty Duck ensured that her teammates were focused on the ultimate prize.
The last thing Liberty needs is a premature celebration, given last year’s loss to the Aces in the WNBA Finals. The franchise looks to bring home its first title and will go againts the Connecticut Sun or Minnesota Lynx from October 10.