Following a vote by the Acalanes Union High School district board, Miramonte High School officially named its gymnasium the Sabrina Ionescu Gymnasium in March 2026, recognizing her illustrious career from our very school to the pros. Graduating in 2016, Ionescu left behind one of the most accomplished legacies in our school’s history, which has only grown through her success later in life.
At Miramonte, Ionescu averaged over 20 points per game across her four years, while ranking among the top in other statistical categories among other student-athletes. During her junior year, Ionescu was 12th in California with 86 3-pointers made and 28th in the entire nation with 7.3 assists per game. As a member and starter of the women’s varsity basketball program, she led the Matadors to a 119-9 record and set multiple records for the program. At its peak, the Matadors finished Ionescu’s senior campaign in 2016 at seventh in the nation and third in California, an astonishing feat for any sports program at Miramonte.
After graduating, Ionescu continued her basketball career at the University of Oregon, where she became one of the most decorated players in NCAAW history. She was the first player ever to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in a career. Ionescu was also the first Naismith Trophy winner in Ducks history, the award given to the most outstanding player in women’s college basketball. More so, she was awarded the Wade Trophy twice (national player of the year), the Wooden Award twice (most outstanding player), and two Nancy Lieberman Awards, given to the nation’s top point guard.
In 2020, after her time at the University of Oregon, Ionescu was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the New York Liberty. At the professional level, Ionescu quickly developed into one of the faces of the league. As a guard for the Liberty, she shines from beyond the three-point line. Notably, she has earned four WNBA All-Star selections and All-WNBA honors, solidifying her among the top players in the WNBA. In 2024, she led the Liberty to their first WNBA Championship alongside Breanna Stewart.
Ionescu also represented the United States on the international stage. As a member of Team USA, she helped secure a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, alongside fellow Matador Drew Holland, who aided the US for a bronze medal in water polo.
Off the court, Ionescu remains involved in the Bay Area, as she has made significant contributions to the basketball team room at Miramonte and to the Carondelet women’s basketball program, due to her longtime coach, Kelly Sopak, coaching the Cougars for several years.
Overall, within our community and at the district level, her contributions and legacy are being remembered positively.
“I like the decision, she’s given a good amount back to us, and I think it’s great that we can do the same,” basketball senior Maegan Eichenberger said.
Now, Miramonte can recognize an influential alumnus as a new era of Miramonte basketball rises, and the era of the Matadome comes to a bittersweet end.
