CONCORD – Sabrina Ionescu smiled as she was mobbed Saturday by an endless cascade of children in Carondelet’s gymnasium, all wanting a photo and occasionally an autograph from the WNBA superstar.
When asked about a familiar face from her Pac-12 days at Oregon, that smile remained even after Ionescu, 26, found herself away from the crowd.
It was against coach Tara VanDerveer and the Cardinal in 2020 that the Miramonte alum became the first player in NCAA history to accrue 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in a collegiate career.
With VanDerveer on the precipice of passing former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski for a milestone of her own, the all-time wins college record (1,202), the New York Liberty guard reflected upon what has made the Stanford coach an icon of the game.
“She has set the standard of excellence,” Ionescu said. “I’ve looked up to her from a young age. Being from the Bay Area, I was able to go to games every year and watch so many amazing players. They continue to compete for championships every single year, and it’s crazy because it’s really hard to do that for such a long period of time.”
Ionescu, the Bay Area News Group’s girls high school basketball player of the decade for her 2012-16 run at Miramonte, returned to the East Bay to watch the Saturday high school girls basketball showcase named in her honor.
Before heading across the street to watch her alma mater play Washington-Fremont, she popped into Carondelet to cheer on her high school coach Kelly Sopak, who now leads the program at the Concord private school.
“There’s people who give money, and I think it’s very admirable for celebrities and athletes to do that,” Sopak said while proudly wearing his former player’s signature shoe. “But Sabrina gives her time. I think that’s what players appreciate most, and definitely what I appreciate most is her physically giving up her time to be here.”
CONCORD – Sabrina Ionescu (blonde ponytail) watches her high school coach Kelly Sopak (white shirt) during Carondelet’s game at the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase at Carondelet High School in Concord Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 (Joseph Dycus/Bay Area News Group)
She saw a plethora of talented players draw cheers and applause from the crowd, athletes who could one day be able to represent the Bay Area as a WNBA player.
This fall, the league announced that an expansion team will play at Chase Center in San Francisco beginning in 2025. Ionescu believes the new team could have the same kind of impact on Bay Area children that the Warriors’ NBA dynasty had on her.
“I was that young kid who went to all the games and was inspired by what I saw,” Ionescu said. “With us coming to more cities, being able to have more teams, players and fans in attendance, it’s only going to ignite the next generation.”
Should the yet-to-be-named Bay Area team receive a high draft pick, it could be in the running for Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.
Clark, who still has one year of eligibility left, has dazzled fans with her long-range shooting and effortless passing. Even the most casual hoops fan has seen her highlights.
Related Articles
Prep roundup: Salesian’s defense clinches victory, Los Gatos outlasts Palo Alto, Prolific Prep puts on a show and more
Prep roundup: Oakland Tech fends off McClymonds in league showdown
Prep basketball: How De La Salle held off Dublin’s late rally to win EBAL thriller
Prep roundup: Son of ex-San Jose State football coach leads Los Gatos to another basketball victory
Bay Area News Group boys athlete of the week: Justin Galvez, Woodside soccer
Ionescu counts herself as a fan, too.
“She came to Oregon on a visit so I was able to get to know her and her dad,” Ionescu said. “Everyone’s watching her, and she’s selling out every arena she goes into, and she continues to set the bar higher and higher for college sports. She’s going to take that into the pro level too.”
Even though Ionescu’s high school days are long behind her and she now plays on the East Coast, she is still passionate about being involved in the Bay Area hoops scene.
“It reminds me of when I was younger, and looked up to many of the older girls who were playing,” Ionescu said. “Being able to provide this amazing showcase, as well as a skills camp they help with, is a full-circle moment.”
CONCORD – Sabrina Ionescu (blonde ponytail, black jacket) acknowledges the crowd during an ovation at the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase at Carondelet High School in Concord Calif. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 (Joseph Dycus/Bay Area News Group)
