With the Oregon Ducks men’s and women’s basketball teams wrapping up their regular seasons last week, it seemed the hardwood at Matthew Knight Arena would get a much-needed break until next season. But on Monday morning, Oregon announced that the WNBA’s New York Liberty will play an exhibition game at MKA on May 12th.
The Liberty are led by former Oregon star Sabrina Ionescu, one of the top players in the WNBA and the greatest Oregon basketball player ever. Also on New York’s roster is Nyara Sabally, who played three seasons with the Ducks from 2019 to 2022. Both Ionescu and Sabally were instrumental in the Liberty securing its first WNBA Championship in 2024.
Since her time at Oregon ended in 2020, Ionescu has remained very connected to the Ducks’ women’s basketball program and the university as a whole. Ionescu has visited Eugene for Oregon football games; she brought the WNBA Championship trophy to a Ducks women’s basketball game in November, and when her signature shoe was released by Nike in 2023, one of the primary colorways available was Oregon green and yellow.
This May, Ionescu will be heavily involved in the organization of the Liberty’s trip to Eugene, when they will take on the Toyota Antelopes from Japan’s women’s basketball league.
“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,” Ionescu said in a New York Liberty press release. “Sco Ducks Forever!”
The Liberty are in strong contention to compete for the WNBA title once again in 2025. Along with the Las Vegas Aces, the Liberty are the odds-on favorite at BetMGM to win the championship at +220. Trailing the Aces and Liberty are the Minnesota Lynx — whom New York defeated in the 2024 championship — at +350 and the Indiana Fever at +400.
The Liberty’s preseason kicks off May 9th at the Barclays Center in New York, three days before they come to Eugene, and their regular season begins May 17th — against the Las Vegas Aces.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Sabrina Ionescu and New York Liberty to play preseason game at Oregon
