Sabrina Ionescu is back in Eugene, bringing her New York Liberty to face the Toyota Antelopes of Japan on Monday night at Matthew Knight Arena.
But before Ionescu and the reigning-champion Liberty hit the hardwood for the WNBA preseason game, it’s a day worthy of celebration in Eugene.
That’s because Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson on Sunday declared May 12, 2025, as Sabrina Ionescu Day in honor of the former Oregon Ducks star.
“Thank you very much, I really appreciate this,” Ionescu said after hearing the news and getting a hug from the mayor. “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 that has meant so much to me and allowed me to be where I’m at now in my professional career, and give back to the next little Sabrina that’s running around here in Eugene.”
Ionescu’s Liberty teammate Nyara Sabally, another former Ducks star, also is back in Eugene, and Sabally received news worth celebrating Monday as well. The Liberty announced they had exercised their fourth-year option on Sabally’s rookie contract, extending her through the 2026 season.
The Liberty and Antelopes are set to tip off at 7 p.m. Monday at Matthew Knight Arena. As of the noon hour Monday, tickets were available on Ticketmaster starting at $31.25 each.
— Joel Odom writes about trending topics in news, life and culture, and sports. Reach him at 503-221-8594, jodom@oregonian.com or @jkodom on Blue Sky.
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