Sabrina Ionescu prepared for WNBA Draft, Wins Honda Award

The Unanimous national player of the year Sabrina Ionescu won the Honda Sports Award Tuesday just three days before the WNBA Draft where she is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) announced Oregon’s senior as the winner of the 2019-20 Honda Sport Award for women’s basketball. The award honors the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. The WNBA draft will take place virtually on Friday at 4 p.m. on ESPN. Ionescu came back for her senior season after losing in the national title game a year ago but the NCAA tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Everything I worked on over the summer was not just for my senior year,” Ionescu said in a conference call Tuesday. “It was looking beyond with the WNBA in mind, finishing around the rim, shooting more at the midrange and extending my 3-point range.” “I’m excited for the challenge to go up against the best players in the world.” Ionescu added. “I’ve always had that goal of playing in the WNBA.” As for draft being done remotely, her lifelong dream will still come true. “I’ll just be with my immediate family, I’m kind of disappointed I won’t be able to walk across the stage, but there are more important things going on in the world right now.” Ionescu said. New York holds the No.1 pick followed by Dallas and Indiana. “When I was young, I was looking for people and athletes to look up to,” Ionescu said. “I want to take on that role wherever I am drafted.” “It’s kind of hard to think about, I came back to win a national championship and didn’t get that chance,” Ionescu said. “I don’t regret coming back to school to try to win. It was a blessing to share this year with the school, the community and my team.” Photo credit to Eric Evans/GoDucks.com