The New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu speaks to the media on Oct 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy NY Media)
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Thursday morning in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty held their victory parade after winning their first WNBA title in franchise history, a title that now belongs to two former Ducks.
Oregon legend Sabrina Ionescu hit the game-winning shot for the Liberty in Game 3 against the Minnesota Lynx and Nyara Sabally was the hero in Game 5 with 13 points and seven rebounds.
On Thursday, we heard from Sabrina as well as Oregon head coach Kelly Graves.
Sabrina Ionescu and New York Liberty hold WNBA championship parade (Footage courtesy NY Media)
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“Obviously I’m new to this, this is the first time I’ve been able to be a part of this,” said Ionescu, who played for the Ducks from 2016 to 2020. “But just being able to take it all in, see how many people were in the crowd, smiling, celebrating with their Liberty gear. It really puts it in perspective what it means to bring a championship to this city and how it really takes everyone.”
“There’s a little bit of redemption there for Sabrina; now she is a world champ,” said Oregon Head Coach Kelly Graves. “I know she didn’t get the chance to win a championship in college that senior year but it’s good to see that happen, too. Great to see Nyara. Nyara earned her time, played more and more and then was a huge impact. They don’t win Game 5 without her. So that was really neat to see.”
As for the current Ducks, they’ll play in an exhibition on November 1. Graves said the Ducks will be without transfer guard Deja Kelly and center Phillipina Kyei to start the season due to injuries. But with 15 players on the roster, the head coach is pleased with the depth and excited for their first season in the Big Ten.
“We’re not gonna talk about last year but it was tough, it was difficult,” Graves said. “Our youth, the injuries, we weren’t as talented as we’ve been. It was kind of just a perfect storm. I personally am more rejuvenated. I just decided ‘You know what, we’re gonna get this thing turned around and we’re gonna get it back to where we’ve been’ so we went out, were aggressive in the portal, unlike we’ve ever really been. We just made it a point we’re gonna do it. I like the group that we got. Whole new energy. Different team.”
Oregon has their official season opener on November 4th hosting California Baptist at 4 p.m.
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