New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu returned to her alma mater on Sunday and put on a show for the Oregon crowd, although her identity was hidden.
Ionescu attended Sunday’s 80-55 win over Army and competed in the halftime free-throw contest to raise money for charity. Ionescu is one of the best three-point shooters in the WNBA and is even more clinical from close range.
However, the contest at Matthew Knight Arena saw a random fan selected from the crowd. Ionescu went under the alias ‘Jennifer Skone’ and shocked Ducks fans as she sank 10 free throws in a row.
The contest raised money for charity, with $200 being donated for every free throw that was made. Fans were stunned when ‘Skone’ made each free throw with ease, raising $2,000 in the process.
Ionescu wore a black wig and glasses to hide her identity, and her participation was part of a new Amazon TV Show called The Undercovers. The show also features NFL stars Micah Parsons, Baker Mayfield, and Justin Jefferson.
Oregon is undefeated to start the season and is currently second in the Big 10 behind Northwestern. Ionescu, now a four-time WNBA All-Star and one-time WNBA Champion, won College Player of the Year while at the Ducks in 2020 before going pro.
Ionescu was selected first overall by the Liberty in the 2020 WNBA Draft and has become one of the league’s most popular players. Since leaving Oregon in 2020, Ionescu has been regarded as one of the school’s greatest athletes of all time.
Earlier this year, Ionescu returned to Oregon when the Liberty faced the Toyota Antelopes in a WNBA preseason game. Ionescu was denied a proper send-off in 2020 as the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the global pandemic.
She scored 25 points, three rebounds, and two assists in an 84-61 win, and returning to Matthew Knight Arena meant everything. “This is something in my career that I will never forget, is being to come back and play a game at the University of Oregon.” Ionescu said.
“This was just a thank you. This wasn’t any type of celebration for me. I think it was just me wanting to celebrate the University of Oregon and what it’s done for me and my career.”
Then-Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello admitted that the team was centered around Ionescu as Ducks fans came to support their former star. “We were trying to hunt Sabrina as much as we could to get her some shots up, and she never disappoints,” Brondello said.
“She loves the moment. It’s a great ending for her to finish as strong as she did.”
Ionescu added, “I think that’s what makes Oregon so special, is the community and the relationships that you’re able to build here. For us to be on that side of history and continue to come back and give back and understanding how important for us to be Ducks is why we’re here today.”
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