Oregon sweeps top two picks in WNBA draft

NEW YORK - University of Oregon basketball star Sabrina Ionescu was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, as expected. When she'll play for the New York Liberty is unclear.

With sports on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, it was a draft Friday night like no other, with players in their own homes instead of a central location and commissioner Cathy Engelbert announcing selections from her house in New Jersey, holding up the jersey of each player being chosen.

"Of course it was different than what I had expected, and just excited to be able to be here with my family and the people closest to me and be able to spend this time," Ionescu said from California. "Making the most out of what's going on in today's society. Just really happy to be able to spend this moment with them and excited to have gone through this process."

Ionescu set the NCAA record for triple-doubles and was the first college basketball player to have more than 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in her career. Ionescu was one of three first-round selections for New York, which also picked ninth and 12th, the final choice of the opening round.

"I've been working for this for my entire basketball career and super excited to see that come to fruition," Ionescu said. "I'm very humbled and excited for the opportunity."

Oregon teammate Satou Sabally, one of three juniors to forego their last year of college eligibility and enter the draft this year, went second to the Dallas Wings. It's the third time in the history of the draft that the top two picks were from the same program.

"To go 1-2 with Satou is a really cool feeling and shows all the hard work we went through this year paid off," Ionescu said. "Really proud of her and what we were able to do as teammates and excited to see her future in the pros."

Baylor's Lauren Cox went third to the Indiana Fever, Texas A&M's Chennedy Carter went fourth to the Atlanta Dream and Dallas used the No. 5 pick on Bella Alarie. The Princeton star is only the second Ivy League player to be drafted that high. Harvard star Allison Feaster was selected fifth in the 1998 draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

South Carolina players Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Tyasha Harris went sixth and seventh to the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas, respectively. The Gamecocks finished No. 1 in the final AP Top 25 poll this season, which was not capped by an NCAA tournament.

The Chicago Sky chose Oregon's Ruthy Hebard with the eighth pick, marking the fifth consecutive season and ninth overall that three college teammates were taken in the opening round.

"Really shows what kind of environment we had at Oregon," Sabally said.

New York took Connecticut's Megan Walker with the ninth pick, the Phoenix Mercury picked Jocelyn Willoughby of Virginia 10th, the Seattle Storm took former South Florida star Kitija Laksa 11th and New York closed out the first round by drafting Jazmine Jones from Louisville.

New York, which was the first team ever to have five of the first 15 picks in the draft, selected Jones's Louisville teammate Kylee Shook at 13 and Duke's Leaonna Odom at 15.

The Liberty also made two trades after the draft, acquiring Willoughby for Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. New York also traded Erica Ogwumike, a third-round pick, to Minnesota for Stephanie Talbot.

The WNBA tried to create an experience for the draftees, sending them a care package with hats of all 12 teams, a WNBA sweatshirt, confetti and a few other items.

Cox's sister doused her with confetti after her name was announced.

"It was really fun, and we made the most of it," Cox said.

Coaches and general managers were spread throughout the country and world, so they set up virtual war rooms instead of gathering in their own team facilities.

While the draft was held Friday, it is still unclear when the league will actually start its 2020 season. Engelbert reinforced on a conference call earlier in the day that there was no timetable to when the schedule will begin. She said there were a variety of scenarios in play, but the most important factor was the health of everyone.

Training camp was supposed to begin next weekend, with the regular season originally set to open May 15.

Engelbert announced the WNBA, along with presenting draft partner State Farm and the players' union, will donate $20,000 for each of the 12 first-round picks to Direct Relief to help get protective gear and medication to health-care workers as quickly as possible.

The league also honored Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester before the start of the draft. Engelbert announced their names as jerseys were shown on the screen with each of the three players on them. The teenagers were among the nine people who died in the helicopter accident on Jan. 26, including Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

"I think it was a very beautiful thing that the WNBA did to be able to draft those three girls," Ionescu said. "They deserved it. I know they're looking down and smiling and really excited."

The league also announced that it would have a Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award. It will recognize an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the visibility, perception and advancement of women's and girls' basketball at all levels.

"Kobe was an incredible champion of women's basketball and Gianna shared his passion and dedication to our game," Engelbert said. "The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will honor their legacy and reflect Kobe's commitment to mentoring the next generation of players, promoting the game and giving back to the community."