Sabrina Ionescu: USA Olympics Dream 'Since I Was A Little Girl'

Former Oregon Duck basketball star Sabrina Ionescu will be making her Olympic debut this summer for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympic games.

Bri Amaranthus | Jun 30, 2024

Jun 4, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) warms up before a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

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Former Oregon Duck star Sabrina Ionescu will be making her Olympic debut this summer for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympic games.

Ionescu is one of the 12 players headed to the Olympics this summer, the team officially announced Tuesday.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) warms up before a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky

Ionescu helped the American team win gold at the FIBA World Cup in 2022. The New York Liberty star reveled in the chance to play with players like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, who each have won multiple Olympic gold medals,

“You're just able to tell how they carry themselves and how they go about their business every single drill, recovery, what they eat," Ionescu said. "It's just an opportunity to get the best players in the world together and figure out what makes them so great. Everyone's so unique in their own way, and these opportunities don't come by often."

"Everyone wants to put USA across their chests and represent their country, and I never take one of these moments for granted.”

Notably not on the roster is WNBA star and media darling rookie Caitlin Clark.

The rest of the roster: A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Taurasi, Griner, Alyssa Thomas, Napheesa Collier, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper.

"It's been something that I've wanted to do ever since I was a little girl," Ionescu said. "I understand that I would be able to have the opportunity to go out and compete with the best in the world, go out there, and fight for another gold medal."

Ionescu has helped the Liberty to an impressive 10-2 record on the season and are in second place in league standings. Ionescu recently made WNBA history as the fastest player to reach 300 three-pointers in a career.

And now Ionescu will take her talents on an international stage to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Published Jun 11, 2024|Modified Jun 30, 2024

BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.