Hebard (14) and Ionescu (7) at the 2018 3X3 World Cup. (FIBA)
THE NEW York Liberty selected 5’11” point guard Sabrina Ionescu of the University of Oregon sa the top pick of the 2020 WNBA Rookie Draft. Ionescu is the only female player to tally more than 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in her NCAA career.
In 2018, Filipinos got a glimpse of the future superstar as she spearheaded the United States in the FIBA 3X3 World Cup held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Ionescu powered the Americans to four straight wins against Iran (21-7), Andorra (21-6), Uganda (22-9) and Russia (21-13) to sweep Group C together with teammates Ruth Hebard, Otiona Gildon and Erin Boley.
However, their magical run ended with a 14-17 loss to eventual champion Italy in the quarterfinals. Team USA ended up in fifth place.
Hebard, a 6’4” forward and Ionescu’s teammate at the Lady Ducks, was picked eighth overall by the Chicago Sky. Another Oregon product, 6’4” forward Satou Sabally was chosen second right after Ionescu.
Meanwhile, the league honored as honorary WNBA Draft picks the trio of Alyssa Altobelli, Payton Chester and Gianna Bryant, daughter of Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. The three teenagers perished in the helicopter crash that also killed Bryant last January 26.
The usual ceremonies were set aside in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. Instead, the 12 teams communicated their selections and these were announced by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert via video conferencing.
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