EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon women’s basketball alums and WNBA champions Sabrina Ionescu and Nyara Sabally will make their on-court return to Matthew Knight Arena on May 12 at 7 p.m., as the New York Liberty will host an exhibition game against the Toyota Antelopes of the Women’s Japan Basketball League.Presale for tickets to the highly anticipated return of two Duck legends will begin on Tuesday, March 11 at 9 a.m. PT, with public on sale starting Wednesday, March 21 at 9 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster.Ionescu, the former No. 1 overall pick and all-time NCAA triple-double leader, will also curate and lead the team’s activities and community programming throughout the weekend in Eugene.“We are thrilled to welcome two all-time great Ducks in Sabrina and Nyara back to Eugene as members of the reigning WNBA champions in another showcase women’s basketball event. We are very excited to host the New York Liberty and Toyota Antelopes in Matthew Knight Arena,” Oregon director of athletics Rob Mullens said. “The vision for the event includes a tremendous weekend of activities around the community. Our passionate fans will create a terrific atmosphere inside MKA for these elite women’s basketball players. Special thanks to the Liberty and the Antelopes for their collaboration in creating this wonderful opportunity for our community.”“I can’t wait to get back on the court in Eugene with the New York Liberty at Matthew Knight Arena,” Ionescu said in a Liberty press release. “I’ve got some great things in store throughout the weekend for my teammates: past and present, Oregon women’s basketball fans, the Eugene community, and the SI20 Foundation. Sco Ducks Forever!”
“I am super excited to have this preseason game in Eugene,” added Sabally. “I never thought I was going to be able to play on that court and in front of our amazing Duck fans again. I know Oregon is going to show out and it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere!”
Ionescu and Sabally guided the Liberty to their first WNBA title in 2024, defeating the Minnesota Lynx in five games. Ionescu was a two-time national player of the year and the first Duck to be taken No. 1 overall. Sabally was drafted fifth overall by New York in the 2022 WNBA draft after leading Oregon in scoring during the 2021-22 season.
