Ionescu Named Naismith Trophy Semifinalist
03/04/19 | Women's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon women's basketball guard Sabrina Ionescu has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy for Women's Player of the Year.
The junior, who has helped the No. 6 ranked Ducks to back-to-back Pac-12 regular season titles, is the only junior and is one of four guards to be included.
Ionescu is averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this year while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, 44.4 percent from three and 87.4 percent at the line. She has 242 assists compared to just 76 turnovers. Ionescu currently ranks third in the NCAA in assists per game and eighth in three-point percentage. She is the only player in the NCAA averaging 15+ points, 7+ rebounds and 7+ assists.
With seven triple-doubles this year, Ionescu owns the NCAA single-season record in addition to her record 17 career triple-doubles. Earlier this year, Ionescu broke the UO single-game assists record with 17 dimes against Long Beach State. She has nine games this year with 10+ assists and also has nine games with 10+ rebounds.
Ionescu ranks first all-time at UO with 723 career assists and is fifth with 1,814 career points. She also is just outside of the UO top-10 with 691 career rebounds.
The four finalists will be announced on March 22 and fans will have a chance to vote for their favorite player of the four beginning that same day through April 3, by visiting naismithtrophy.com/vote to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall vote. The 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women's Player of the Year will be announced on April 6. The winner will be honored at her school on a later date.
Ionescu is also in the running for the Wade Trophy, Wooden Award, Dawn Staley Award (best overall guard) and the Nancy Lieberman Award (best point guard). She was the preseason ESPNW national player of the year and one of five preseason AP All-Americans.
2019 Women's Citizen Naismith Trophy Semifinalists
The junior, who has helped the No. 6 ranked Ducks to back-to-back Pac-12 regular season titles, is the only junior and is one of four guards to be included.
Ionescu is averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this year while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, 44.4 percent from three and 87.4 percent at the line. She has 242 assists compared to just 76 turnovers. Ionescu currently ranks third in the NCAA in assists per game and eighth in three-point percentage. She is the only player in the NCAA averaging 15+ points, 7+ rebounds and 7+ assists.
With seven triple-doubles this year, Ionescu owns the NCAA single-season record in addition to her record 17 career triple-doubles. Earlier this year, Ionescu broke the UO single-game assists record with 17 dimes against Long Beach State. She has nine games this year with 10+ assists and also has nine games with 10+ rebounds.
Ionescu ranks first all-time at UO with 723 career assists and is fifth with 1,814 career points. She also is just outside of the UO top-10 with 691 career rebounds.
The four finalists will be announced on March 22 and fans will have a chance to vote for their favorite player of the four beginning that same day through April 3, by visiting naismithtrophy.com/vote to cast their ballot. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall vote. The 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy for Women's Player of the Year will be announced on April 6. The winner will be honored at her school on a later date.
Ionescu is also in the running for the Wade Trophy, Wooden Award, Dawn Staley Award (best overall guard) and the Nancy Lieberman Award (best point guard). She was the preseason ESPNW national player of the year and one of five preseason AP All-Americans.
2019 Women's Citizen Naismith Trophy Semifinalists
| Name | Yr. | Pos. | School | Conference |
| Kristine Anigwe | Sr. | C/F | California | Pac-12 |
| Kalani Brown | Sr. | C | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Napheesa Collier | Sr. | F | UConn | AAC |
| Asia Durr | Sr. | G | Louisville | ACC |
| Megan Gustafson | Sr. | F | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Sabrina Ionescu | Jr. | G | Oregon | Pac-12 |
| Teaira McCowan | Sr. | C | Mississippi State | SEC |
| Arike Ogunbowale | Sr. | G | Notre Dame | ACC |
| Katie Lou Samuelson | Sr. | G | UConn | AAC |
| Alanna Smith | Sr. | F | Stanford | Pac-12 |
Players Mentioned
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