Sabrina Ionescu Makes WNBA History with 500 Points, 200 Boards, 200 Dimes in a Season
Sabrina Ionescu has continued to take things to another level this season, and on Saturday, she become the first player in WNBA history to record 500 points, 200 boards, and 200 dimes in a single season.
With an assist to Crystal Dangerfield in the first quarter against the Mercury, Ionescu accomplished the feat at the 9:31 mark. She finished the matchup with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the 76-62 loss to the Mercury
The Liberty, who are currently 13-19 for fifth in the East, have won three of their last four games.
“I definitely see the future in the organization that we’re building. Super excited for what’s to come,” she told SLAM back in March of 2021. “It definitely takes a village, it’s not gonna happen overnight, it’s not something that comes easy. The vision of seeing the organization get there and then all of the hard work that it’s gonna take to get there is really what’s exciting. That grind is why a lot of people play; it’s why I play. That’s really the fun part.”
The SLAM 231 cover star has garnered the crown of the triple-double queen since she stepped foot into the W as statistical marvel when she dropped 33 points, along with seven rebounds and seven assists in her second pro game. Then again, Ionescu has always been a bucket since her days at Oregon, where not only became the first NCAA player (male or female) to register 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists, but is also the all-time NCAA record leader in career triple-doubles.
WNBA legend Candace Parker even acknowledged that we’re in a new era and spoke on the type of player Ionescu is:
“I think it’s the new age of players, but I also think it’s the way the game is played now,” Parker said, “It’s more fast-paced now. Now, you’re seeing 90s and 100 scores. They’re setting the record for 3-point shots. So it’s more like made shots. When we were coming to into the League, I don’t know what the average was for points, but I’m sure it was way less than it is now. So you have more shooters, so you’re going to have more assists, and your playmaking is better. So I think it’s just a combination of, yes, the skill set of the players like Sabrina, but also, I think it’s the skill set of those that are around her that are able to knock down shots.”
The Liberty are set to play the Wings on Monday at 8pm.