The WNBA better be ready for another Sabally.
Oregon’s power forward Nyara Sabally was picked in the first round of the WNBA draft at No. 5 by the New York Liberty and will join Duck legend Sabrina Ionescu in hopes of bringing a championship to the Big Apple. Sabally also joins her older sister Satou in the league and is the fourth Duck women’s basketball player in the last three seasons to be drafted high in the first round.
Nyara Sabally averaged 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds a game in her two seasons playing for Oregon. She ended her college career on a high note as she was an all-conference player in both seasons and made the Pac-12 all-tournament team in 2022.
In 2021, the Liberty finished 12-20, but still made the postseason where they are bounced out of the first round by the eventual runner-up Phoenix Mercury. New York will also have a Sandy Brondello as its new head coach.
Sabally, Ionescu and the rest of the Liberty will begin their WNBA season May 7 when they host Connecticut.