In a heartfelt return to Oregon's Matthew Knight Arena, Sabrina Ionescu, the New York Liberty star, delivered a stellar performance, scoring 25 points in a preseason victory against the Toyota Antelopes of Japan. This marked her first game at the arena in five years, and the crowd erupted in cheers as she proclaimed, "Go Ducks!"

A Homecoming to Remember

Ionescu, a three-time WNBA All-Star, was accompanied by her Liberty teammate and fellow Oregon alum, Nyara Sabally, who contributed 7 points to the 84-61 win. The game was part of the WNBA's initiative to bring former college stars back to their roots, following similar appearances by Caitlin Clark at Iowa and Angel Reese at LSU.

A Tribute to Oregon

"This was just a thank you," Ionescu said. "This wasn't any kind of celebration for me. I think it was just me wanting to celebrate the University of Oregon and what they've done for me in my career." The crowd gave her a standing ovation after she hit a 3-pointer from the midcourt logo with 6:03 left in the game.

A Legacy of Excellence

Ionescu's college career was nothing short of legendary. She ended her time at Oregon as the NCAA's all-time leader in triple-doubles, with 26, a record that stands among both men and women. Drafted No. 1 by the Liberty in the 2020 WNBA draft, she has since won a WNBA title and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

Celebrating the Ducks

Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson declared the day "Sabrina Ionescu Day" in her honor. The Liberty also announced they had exercised Sabally's fourth-year option, keeping her with the team through the 2026 season. The game was attended by Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai and Oregon coach Kelly Graves, who praised the initiative.

Looking Ahead

The WNBA will return to Oregon next year with an expansion team in Portland, continuing the league's efforts to connect with college basketball fans and celebrate the legacy of NCAAW stars.