“The Most Important Thing is to Inspire People”: WNBA’s 1st Overall Pick Reveals Her Learnings From Kobe Bryant

2020 WNBA Draft’s first overall pick  Sabrina Ionescu shared what she learned from Kobe Bryant during her commencement speech in Oregon.

Even before she has featured in a WNBA game, Ionescu is dubbed to have a great influence on women’s basketball. She had a great impact on the game playing for the University of Oregon in the NCAA. Many credit her to have increased the popularity of the woman’s game. More and more people have started coming in to watch the game.

Ionescu is known to have been very close to Kobe Bryant and Gigi. She talked about their relationship at his memorial service in February and thanked him for his efforts towards the development of the women’s game.

Sabrina Ionescu learned dedication from Kobe Bryant

In a long commencement speech, Ionescu talked about what she learned from the late Los Angeles Lakers legend.

“It’s great to set a goal and check it off. We all need to do that. But perhaps what is more important is to keep chasing the next one, to discover what else is possible, to carve a new path and go even further,” she said during the speech.

“Kobe taught me that dedication sees dreams come true. Give it everything you’ve got. This time is teaching us that we are not always in control. Don’t forget to live in the moment, but try to be the best you can. It is so important to control what you can, and just do your best. The rest will take care of itself.

“Kobe taught me that it’s the one thing you can control, that you’re responsible for how people remember you, or don’t.”

Not long after speaking at Bryant’s memorial service in February, Ionescu made history in NCAA. She became the first player, male or female, to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds in Division one Basketball.

Ionescu, 22, will be starting her WNBA career with New York Liberty in the upcoming season after having achieved incredible feats in NCAA.