The University of Oregon honored former basketball star Sabrina Ionescu in a variety of ways during their season opener. The Ducks paid tribute to Ionescu, who had an illustrious career with the team and is now playing professionally, by hanging a banner with her number and highlighting her achievements on the video board. Fans also showed their support by wearing Ionescu’s jerseys and holding up signs in her honor.
Ionescu, who was the number one overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, had a remarkable career at Oregon. She set numerous records and became the first NCAA player to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds in a career. Ionescu was a three-time All-American and won the prestigious Naismith Trophy twice.
The Ducks faced off against the Seattle Redhawks in their season opener, winning 116-51. Despite the blowout victory, the focus of the game was on Ionescu and the impact she had on the program. Fans cheered enthusiastically whenever she was mentioned or shown on screen, showing their appreciation for her contributions to the team.
Ionescu was unable to attend the game in person due to her professional commitments, but she expressed her gratitude for the tribute on social media. She thanked the team and fans for their support and reminisced about her time at Oregon. Ionescu remains a beloved figure in Eugene and her legacy continues to inspire the current players on the team.
The Ducks will look to build on their season opener victory and carry on the winning tradition that Ionescu helped establish during her time at Oregon. Fans can expect more tributes to the former star throughout the season as the team seeks to honor her legacy.
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