Oregon's Ionescu 'humbled and grateful' to win 2020 Naismith Trophy

Oregon senior Sabrina Ionescu was named the recipient of the 2020 Naismith Trophy as the most outstanding player in women's college basketball on Friday, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced.

“It’s an honor to be able to receive the Naismith Trophy,” Ionescu said, according to an NCAA press release. “I’m humbled and grateful to receive such a prestigious award, and I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches. Being able to play the game I love with people that I love has been nothing short of amazing.”

Dayton forward Obi Toppin, the Naismith Trophy winner among men's college players, joins Ionescu.

The star guard's Ducks went 31-2 in 2019-20, largely due to her torrid production and noted on-court leadership. Ionescu averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 assists, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 33.7 minutes per game, with her assists clip ranking first in the nation.

Ionescu also added to her all-time NCAA record (men's or women's) for career triple-doubles, recording a single-season Division I-record eight, bringing her total to 26.

Had the women's March Madness tournament continued as scheduled, Oregon was expected to go on another deep run with Ionescu at the helm. The Ducks advanced to at least the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight in her first three years in Eugene, peaking with a Final Four appearance in 2019.

With Ionescu's collegiate career cut short due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Walnut Creek, Calif. native will undoubtedly turn her sights to the professional ranks. She's widely projected to be the New York Liberty's first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft.