Freshman Q&A - Sabrina Ionescu
11/17/16 | Women's Basketball
Meet freshman guard Sabrina Ionescu
Freshman guard Sabrina Ionescu (yo-NESS-coo) answers a few questions as she prepares for the Ducks' game against CSU Bakersfield on Nov. 18.Â
Do you have a nickname? Is there a story behind it?
People call me Sab. It's just short for Sabrina, nothing too special about it.
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When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was three.
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What is your favorite basketball memory?
Winning a Nike EYBL national championship with the Cal Stars and my fellow Duck Mallory McGwire.
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Did anyone in your family play basketball?
I have two brothers - an older brother Andrei and a twin brother Eddy. They both played basketball so we competed a lot growing up.
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Tell us more about your family.
I was born in the US but my family is from Romania and I can speak Romanian.
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Do you have any role models?
I look up to Kelly Sopak, my former high school and club team coach, as my mentor and someone I can always talk to.
Why did you choose Oregon?
I chose Oregon because I felt that we could achieve something great here.
Any thoughts on what your major will be?
I'm undecided so far. Â
Do you have a mentor on the team?
I don't have one particular mentor on the team. Everyone is unique in their own way and I learn and observe every individual and learn that way.
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What are you most excited about this year?
What I'm most excited about this year is to be able to play the game I love.
Why did you choose your jersey number?
I chose number 20 because it is the only number I've ever had playing basketball.
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What are some of your other hobbies outside of basketball?
My hobbies outside of basketball are going to church - I love Jesus - and reading. And then of course working out and playing more basketball.
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What is a goal you have for your college career?
I don't have a particular goal for my career here besides to make sure that I am working as hard as I can and enjoy the once and a life time experience that I have here at Oregon.
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What is a goal you have for after graduation?
I want to play basketball professionally after college.
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Do you have a nickname? Is there a story behind it?
People call me Sab. It's just short for Sabrina, nothing too special about it.
Â
When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was three.
Â
What is your favorite basketball memory?
Winning a Nike EYBL national championship with the Cal Stars and my fellow Duck Mallory McGwire.
Â
Did anyone in your family play basketball?
I have two brothers - an older brother Andrei and a twin brother Eddy. They both played basketball so we competed a lot growing up.
Â
Tell us more about your family.
I was born in the US but my family is from Romania and I can speak Romanian.
Â
Do you have any role models?
I look up to Kelly Sopak, my former high school and club team coach, as my mentor and someone I can always talk to.
Why did you choose Oregon?
I chose Oregon because I felt that we could achieve something great here.
Any thoughts on what your major will be?
I'm undecided so far. Â
Do you have a mentor on the team?
I don't have one particular mentor on the team. Everyone is unique in their own way and I learn and observe every individual and learn that way.
Â
What are you most excited about this year?
What I'm most excited about this year is to be able to play the game I love.
Why did you choose your jersey number?
I chose number 20 because it is the only number I've ever had playing basketball.
Â
What are some of your other hobbies outside of basketball?
My hobbies outside of basketball are going to church - I love Jesus - and reading. And then of course working out and playing more basketball.
Â
What is a goal you have for your college career?
I don't have a particular goal for my career here besides to make sure that I am working as hard as I can and enjoy the once and a life time experience that I have here at Oregon.
Â
What is a goal you have for after graduation?
I want to play basketball professionally after college.
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballSofia Bell, Katie Fiso & Mia Jacobs | Selection Sunday
Monday, March 16
Kelly Graves | Selection Sunday
Monday, March 16
Ehis Etute & Katie Fiso | Postgame vs. Washington
Monday, March 02
Kelly Graves | Postgame vs. Washington
Monday, March 02
