WATCH
WNBA DRAFT
APRI L 2020 21WHY WE SWIM
by Bonnie Tsui, out April 14
Welcome the warmer
temperatures by
diving into this
book. Full of deeply
reported stories
about the world’s
most famous
swimmers and
meditations about
water, stillness
Xe[Ôfn#k_`j`jXe
engrossing read for
those who appreciate
the life aquatic.READMLB THE SHOW 20
Available on PS4
While the actual
sports world is on
hold, turn to a virtual
one to feed your
YXj\YXccÓo%N`k_k_\
15th version of the
franchise, play ball
with friends online
without having to
leave home or live out
all your major league
fantasies—like
beaning an Astro.PLAYAnd you had the flu? Were you able
to eat anything?
Yeah, I did. And no, I couldn’t eat
anything.
What was that like, being up in
front of the Bryant family and so
many superstars?
Obviously speaking in front of
that many people at an event like
that is not the easiest or most
comforting thing to process.
So I was really directly talking
to [Kobe]. I wasn’t focusing on
who else was there. I wish that
memorial never had to happen, but
it was a great way to honor them.
How difficult was it to write the
speech? What did you hope to
convey?
It was very difficult trying to
put those feelings into words. And
having to do it in five to seven
minutes wasn’t easy because you
can talk about something like that
for a very long time. I was just
trying to articulate to the best of
my ability the impact both of them
had not only on me, but also on
basketball and society as a whole.
When you announced your return
to Oregon, you wrote that Kobe
gave you the peace and guidance
you were searching for. What did
you mean by that?
Just having someone of that
nature come into your life to guide
you and mentor you gives you
comfort and peace. He was that and
still is that for me.
What have you learned that you
didn’t know this time last year?
I don’t think I’ve really learned
anything new, but this year has
helped me realize that there
are things so much bigger than
basketball. Obviously I’m super-
appreciative to everyone who has
been along on this journey with
me, from my family and friends
and teammates. But I think coming
back has really opened my eyesLEBRON JAMES calls her Queen
Sabrina. Steph Curry brought his
daughters to one of her recent
games. Kobe Bryant was a close
friend and mentor. And yet, the
legend of Sabrina Ionescu has
only just begun.
Though projected to be the top
pick in last year’s WNBA draft,
the Oregon guard returned for her
senior season, citing “unfinished
business” after her Ducks lost in
the Final Four. A year later, she
is still considered the consensus
choice to go No. 1 to the New York
Liberty when the draft is held on
April 17 (ESPN 2, 7 p.m.).
As her illustrious college career
came to a close, Ionescu talked to
SI about her decision to come back;
becoming the first NCAA player to
reach 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds
and 1,000 assists; and the inf luence
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi
had on her life.How surreal was it to reach the
2,000-1,000-1,000 milestone on
the day you and so many others
honored Kobe’s and Gigi’s lives at
their memorial service?
I don’t really think I’ve processed
it. I’m sure I will at some point.
I f lew in the night before, then
woke up early to get ready and
head to the Staples Center by
8:30. I was there for the last few
speakers [Michael Jordan and
Shaquille O’Neal]. Then I hopped
on the [charter] plane, landed,
got to my hotel room and tried to
eat something quickly and get my
mind ready for the game [against
ICO Stanford at 6 p.m.].
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