Sabrina Ionescu shifts gears from WNBA to Team USA, eyes 2024 Olympics
Former Oregon basketball star Sabrina Ionescu had success in her third season in the WNBA, taking the New York Liberty to the first round of the playoffs. There is no offseason for Ionescu, who starts practice this week with Team USA.
Ionescu is no stranger to working and playing with Team USA. She did it when she was at the University of Oregon. This time, it is for an opportunity to compete in the 2024 Olympics in France,
In her third season with the New York Liberty, the former number one overall pick played lights out. Most nights she was unstoppable hitting double digits in scoring. She had more than a handful of triple-doubles throughout the season and hit some key benchmarks in just her third year as a pro.
She averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game pushing her way to her first All-Star game and scratching and clawing her team into the WNBA playoffs.
The Team USA list was released on Monday and included several other key players on their respective teams including Ariel Atkins, NaLyssa Smith, and Diamond Deshields. As the WNBA Playoffs wind down, the list will continue to fill out with some who are currently helping their team push toward a WNBA Championship.
It is a positive to have Sabrina Ionescu’s name on the list this early along with her past experience with Team USA. Her experience in the league and her accolades from both the college and professional level shows that she clearly belongs among the elite after playing just three seasons. More importantly, it shows her potential.
As Team USA looks for someone to showcase on their 2024 Olympic team, Ionescu now has the chance to continue this season and push toward representing her country in France in 2024.
The WNBA is currently playing the semi-final rounds as they make their way to crowning the 2022 WNBA Champion. The best of five game WNBA Finals begin on Sunday, September 11th.
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