The Liberty on Monday unveiled their two-game preseason schedule, which includes a trip to Sabrina Ionescu and Nyara Sabally’s alma mater.
The Liberty will tip off their preseason slate when they host the Connecticut Sun on May 9 at the Barclays Center.
Then, the defending champions are set to head west and play an exhibition game May 12 at Oregon’s Matthew Knight Arena against the Toyota Antelopes of the Women’s Japan Basketball League.
General manager Jonathan Kolb said taking the team to Oregon for a preseason game was a “natural step” after Ionescu and Sabally played key roles in helping the Liberty win a title in 2024.
As part of the event, Ionescu, the NCAA’s career triple-double leader, is set to plan and orchestrate additional team activities and community programming throughout the weekend.
Details on what that might entail will be released at a later date.
“I can’t wait to get back on the court in Eugene with the New York Liberty at Matthew Knight Arena,” Ionescu said in a written statement. “I’ve got some great things in store throughout the weekend for my teammates: past and present, Oregon Women’s Basketball fans, the Eugene community, and the SI20 Foundation. Sco Ducks Forever!”
Sabally shared in Ionescu’s enthusiasm.
“I am super excited to have this preseason game in Eugene,” Sabally added. “I never thought I was going to be able to play on that court and in front of our amazing Duck fans again. I know Oregon is going to show out and it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere!”
The Liberty aren’t the only WNBA team set to return to their star player’s former stomping grounds in May.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are scheduled to play the Brazilian national team in a preseason game at the University of Iowa on May 4.
Angel Reese will also return to her alma mater, LSU, for the Chicago Sky’s exhibition game against the Brazilian national team May 2.