Just over four years ago, the Oregon women's basketball team was en route to its first-ever NCAA title. With Sabrina Ionescu, Nyara Sabally, and Satou Sabally leading the charge, the Ducks looked unstoppable during the 2019-20 season.
Then COVID-19 hit. The women's NCAA Tournament was canceled. Ionescu and Satou Sabally graduated without their rings. Nyara, just two years younger than the duo, remained at Oregon but never obtained the ever-desired national championship.
Now, with all three in the WNBA and Nyara once again teamed up with Ionescu on the New York Liberty, the wait for at least two of the former Ducks is over.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, Ionescu and Nyara Sabally sealed the deal on their first-ever championship victory as they and the rest of the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals.
They had done it, the two former Ducks finally won their rings.
The title they deserve. pic.twitter.com/1UWN9fW2QF
— Oregon Women’s Basketball (@OregonWBB) October 21, 2024
Not only was it the two Oregon stars' first national ring, it was the Liberty's first time winning the WNBA Championship. This year was the sixth time that New York had marched its way to the Finals but every year prior, the Liberty had failed to knock down its competition.
This year was different, the energy in New York was different. With stars like Spike Lee, Sue Bird, and Teresa Weatherspoon on the sidelines, the Liberty secured their title.
Weatherspoon, who was on the first-ever Liberty roster when the WNBA was created in 1997, was visibly emotional as her former team won the championship. It clearly just meant more for New York.
Ionescu was selected first overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Liberty. Just two years later, New York called Nyara Sabally's name, fifth overall in the 2022 Draft.