As the Oregon Ducks prepare to wrap up the regular season and get ready for the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments, one of its star WNBA-bound players will take time to remember a man who inspired her to set sneakers to hardwood.
Ryan Thorburn, Oregon’s beat writer for The Register Guard, Eugene’s hometown newspaper, reported that Ionescu will be at Staples Center to attend the memorial for the late Kobe and GiGi Bryant on Feb. 24.
Kelly Graves said Sabrina Ionescu will attend the Kobe Bryant memorial service in Los Angeles on Monday before playing in No. 3 @OregonWBB’s key game at No. 4 Stanford that night.
— Ryan Thorburn (@rgduckfootball) February 20, 2020
The two, along with seven others, were killed in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles on Jan. 26. Kobe and GiGi were recently laid to rest in a private funeral, according to reports.
The memorial is scheduled for the same day that the Ducks will play an important matchup against No. 4 Stanford.
Sabrina Ionescu mourns her friend Kobe Bryant ahead of her game against Oregon State. pic.twitter.com/urdYuFSNW5
— espnW (@espnW) January 26, 2020
Please listen to Kobe’s words on how #MambaMentality transcended gender/job trade & was 4 anyone committed to reaching their full potential. Kobe joined me for an interview at a women’s bball game. He & GiGi came to watch Sabrina Ionescu & Oregon play USC. May they Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/b0vCo1F9fU
— Rosalyn Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) January 27, 2020
