After months of buzz and speculation, Oregon standout Sabrina Ionescu was selected with the No. 1 pick in Friday's 2020 WNBA draft, going with the top choice to the New York Liberty. Social media reacted to Ionescu's selection, among other elements of Friday night's event.
Sabrina goes No. 1
Ionescu's legion of fans and admirers were thrilled to see the decorated Duck finally have her day in the draft, and to offer congratulations and welcome her to the WNBA.
Number one pick in the 2020 #WNBADraft
β Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 17, 2020
The Bay's own - @sabrina_i20 pic.twitter.com/I6NZevflpZ
WELCOME TO NEW YORK, @sabrina_i20! Congratulations on being selected #1 overall in the 2020 #WNBADraft. #BrooklynLoudπ½ pic.twitter.com/JL2CF20uru
β New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 17, 2020
We've had this graphic ready for a while.
β Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 17, 2020
Congrats to @sabrina_i20 on being selected No. 1 overall in the #WNBADraft by the @nyliberty! pic.twitter.com/7UQJW04zPN
Welcome to Brooklyn @sabrina_i20!! https://t.co/MbMRJp6fPV
β Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) April 17, 2020
Congratulations @sabrina_i20 #1 pick 2020@wnba draft
β Nancy Lieberman (@NancyLieberman) April 17, 2020
You are remarkable. pic.twitter.com/vbOT2qXBWD
The π is NEW YORK BOUND!
β Oregon Women's Basketball (@OregonWBB) April 17, 2020
Sabrina Ionescu is headed to the New York Liberty as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 #WNBADraft! #GoDucks@sabrina_i20 x @nyliberty pic.twitter.com/bba4ghPVBJ
Congratulations to @sabrina_i20, who is heading to @nyliberty as the #1 draft pick in the 2020 #WNBAdraft! #champion https://t.co/omp5StNFuN
β Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 17, 2020
Welcome to the Big Apple @sabrina_i20! π½π can't wait to get to work π #BrooklynLoud
β Kia Nurse (@KayNurse11) April 17, 2020
.@KyrieIrving, @Gtemp17 and Joe Harris wanted to give a warm welcome to the newest member of the Brooklyn family, @sabrina_i20 π pic.twitter.com/2iEyVRQD3U
β Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 17, 2020
Leaving college basketball behind. Taking history with her.
β NCAA Women's Basketball (@ncaawbb) April 17, 2020
Thank you, π.#ncaaW | @sabrina_i20 @OregonWBB pic.twitter.com/paYPPipG4L
Sabrina's Oregon teammates join her in the league
Moments after Ionescu came off the board, the Dallas Wings kept the Ducks vibe going when they selected Satou Sabally. A third Duck, Ruthy Hebard, went No. 8 to the Chicago Sky.
The first pair of teammates to go 1-2 in the #WNBADraft since 2016 π #GoDucks @sabrina_i20 x @BallySatou pic.twitter.com/A3QKnWSGH4
β Oregon Women's Basketball (@OregonWBB) April 17, 2020
Welcome @BallySatou. Dallas is a great spot to be!!! Let's go!!
β Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) April 17, 2020
RUTHY!!! You're such a great soul, Chicago is so dang lucky to have you!!! CHI-TOWN!!! https://t.co/Tc25Ox9QCp
β Max Graves (@max_graves) April 17, 2020
More congratulations in order ...
The rest of the first round elicited more ecstatic reactions from around the country, with picks including Chennedy Carter and Bella Alarie.
WELCOME TO THE ATLβ€οΈ @ChennedyCarter
β Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) April 17, 2020
BRING THEM BUCKETS WITH YOUπ€π― #LetssssGooooooo
The highest drafted player in program history! WHAT. A. NIGHT. π₯³#WNBADraft | #GigEmhttps://t.co/dNAxXtuzjO
β Texas A&M Women's Basketball (@AggieWBB) April 18, 2020
All of πΏπ congratulates @bella_alarie on being drafted into the @WNBA tonight. Here are a few messages from around the league.
β The Ivy League (@IvyLeague) April 18, 2020
π£ Β» @PrincetonWBB head coach Carla Berube pic.twitter.com/xvfwlHsi4r
The newest Gamecocks in the WNBA!
β GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) April 18, 2020
Congrats @2121Mikiah @TyHarris_52 #SCWomanUp
π°: https://t.co/L8AcHxk6lr pic.twitter.com/j3SUxCxNFp
What a night! Congrats @lauren_cox15 @TeaCooper2 @Juicy_landrum20 on your selections in the @WNBA draft. I can't wait to watch you all at the next level!
β Kim Mulkey (@KimMulkey) April 18, 2020
Forever Lady Bears πππ pic.twitter.com/AEOnTpuBnG
MW3 to NYC!
β UConn Women's Hoops (@UConnWBB) April 18, 2020
Congrats to Meg on being drafted by the @nyliberty!#UConnBred x #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/XRbmj8P9J6
So Proud of all your hard work Jazmine Jones!!!! You earned it!! #ProudCoach pic.twitter.com/ZVs5EtDRYB
β Jeff Walz (@CoachJeffWalz) April 18, 2020
And Boom! She has just been traded to New York. Welcome to the Liberty, Jocelyn Willoughby!!!! https://t.co/EHDZDaI5ZZ
β Virginia Women's Basketball (@UVAWomensHoops) April 18, 2020