Eugene, Oregon, better known for its lush landscapes and the University of Oregon Ducks, has hit the news with a different sort of celebration. The city has declared on Monday as "Sabrina Ionescu Day" in honor of the WNBA star who is returning with her team, the New York Liberty, for a preseason exhibition game against the Toyota Antelopes of Japan. The game is set to take place at the Matthew Knight Arena, a familiar court for Ionescu, who made legendary strides during her collegiate career at Oregon, as reported by KGW.
Mayor Knudson, recognizing the profound impact Ionescu has had on the community and the world of women's basketball, was the one to make the official declaration. Meanwhile, being honored with a day of her own, Ionescu expressed her gratitude in a video shared on social media, saying, "Thank you very much," according to KGW. "I really appreciate this. I never thought that I would be in a position to have a day named after me. So, this is pretty special to be able to give back to the University of Oregon. This community has meant so much to me and has allowed me to be where I am at now in my professional career and give back to the next little Sabrina that's running around here in Eugene. So, thank you very much for this."
The standout basketball talent holds the NCAA all-time record for career triple-doubles, a staggering 26, doubling the previous record held by Kyle Collinsworth of BYU. Her record-setting prowess didn't stop there; she matched her own NCAA single-season record with eight triple-doubles in back-to-back seasons, per KATU. It's a resume that extends beyond the stats, as Ionescu is also ranked fourth on the NCAA women's all-time assists list, leaving an indelible mark on the game that stretches well beyond Eugene's city limits.
It's fitting, then, that the city comes together to celebrate one of its most accomplished athletes. Eugene's residents, along with basketball fans and the University of Oregon community, are showing up to support Ionescu, whose presence on the court has always been more than just about scoring points. As reported by OregonLive, before the Liberty and the Antelopes laced up for their preseason contest, it was a day already marked by festivities celebrating Ionescu's achievements and her return to the stomping grounds where she began rewriting the women's college basketball history books.
