She Spoke at Kobe's Memorial, Went on to Make History

Sabrina Ionescu set NCAA record Monday night
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 25, 2020 4:56 PM CST
She Spoke at Kobe's Memorial, Went on to Make History
Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu (20) is congratulated by coach Kelly Graves at the end of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in Stanford, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The college basketball player who spoke at Kobe and Gianna Bryant's memorial service Monday went on to make history: That night, after flying from LA to the Bay Area for the University of Oregon's game against Stanford, Sabrina Ionescu of the Oregon Ducks became the first NCAA player (male or female) to rack up 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in her career, ESPN reports. Ionescu had already passed 2,000 points and 1,000 assists prior to Monday, but was short nine rebounds; she finished the game, which the Ducks won 74-66, with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.

"It was for him," Ionescu said of Bryant, in reference to her setting the record. "To do it on 2/24/20 is huge. [Her jersey number is 20, while Kobe's was 24 and Gianna's was 2.] He's looking down and really proud of me and just really happy for this moment with my team." Ionescu also recorded the 26th triple-double of her career in Monday's game, and reflected on that as well in a tweet after the game:

"2.24.20= 2k 1k 1k
2+24=26 total triple doubles
8=total triple doubles this season so far
Your presence is felt. Just like we talked about... I HEAR YOU
Thank you KB." (More Kobe Bryant stories.)

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