Satou Sabally played three seasons at the University of Oregon, where she quickly established herself as one of the biggest stars in college basketball. Even then, she had someone to look up to in the locker room. That was Sabrina Ionescu, who, as it turns out, shares many of the same traits as the German-American forward.<\/p>\n
Today, Ionescu is a global star with a legitimate claim as one of the WNBA\u2019s very best. Sabally has also risen into the league\u2019s elite, earning an All-Star selection this past season. Their journeys make for a heartwarming story, as two close friends and former Oregon teammates were drafted back-to-back as the first and second overall picks in 2020 and are now shining on basketball\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n
In a recent episode of Bird\u2019s Eye View, WNBA legend Sue Bird<\/a><\/strong> asked Sabally about her Oregon experience and what it was like playing alongside Ionescu. Immediately, her face lit up as she recalled the bond they developed. She explained why Ionescu was always someone she looked up to and admired during those years.<\/p>\n \u201cShe knew early on how the system works and what she wanted. And I think that she didn\u2019t take things lightly, and I loved that,\u201d Sabally said<\/strong><\/a>. Plus, being of German descent, she found Ionescu, with her Romanian roots, to be someone she could relate to.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think also her having a Romanian background and kind of that international background, we connected in that way because she understood. She also understood what I\u2019m going through, being in a different country,\u201d Sabally added.<\/p>\n The connection worked wonders for the Oregon Ducks women\u2019s basketball program. In their three years together, Sabally and Ionescu reached the Elite Eight and then the Final Four in back-to-back seasons. Sadly, their final season together was cut short due to COVID, after which the two declared for the WNBA draft.<\/p>\n Sabally and Ionescu shared a great time at Oregon. Even though they never managed to win a National Championship, their bond will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just great. We had such a good time at Oregon, and we went so far too. I wish we could\u2019ve had our last year. But even if we didn\u2019t, those relationships will stay forever,\u201d the Phoenix Mercury star shared.<\/p>\n In March last year, when Ionescu got married to Hroniss Grasu<\/a><\/strong>, Sabally was spotted at the wedding. They snapped photos together alongside other former college teammates from Oregon.<\/p>\n The relationship proved to be strong in March of last year when Sabally was spotted at Ionescu\u2019s wedding. They took photos together alongside other former Oregon teammates. Recalling the special day, Sabally couldn\u2019t help but gush about how surreal it felt to have played with such an amazing person.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing able to go to her wedding and seeing her mature into this global superstar is just so amazing. Like, having your shoe and really knowing that you\u2019re the face of Oregon, even, you know, like that is just such a cool honor to have a teammate like that.\u201d<\/p>\n During Sabally\u2019s free agency this past year, many expected her to join the New York Liberty<\/a><\/strong> because of her bond with Ionescu and the fact that her sister, Nyara Sabally, was on the team. Not to mention, the Liberty were coming off a championship win.<\/p>\n