Sabrina Ionescu channels Steph Curry with half-court shot, shimmy celebration

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Sabrina Ionescu has been chomping at the bit to get back on the court.

The Walnut Creek native had her historic college career at Oregon abruptly ended due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the WNBA season also was pushed back. But Ionescu, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the New York Liberty, is slated to make her professional debut July 25 against the Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and the Seattle Storm as the WNBA prepares to begin its season.

The quarantine hasn't made Ionescu rusty as the WNBA posted a video of the Oregon product channeling her inner Steph Curry by hitting a half-court shot and then celebrating with a shimmy.

Of course, the Warriors liked what they saw.

Ionescu has become close with Curry over the past year, a relationship that's great for the future growth of the women's game around the world. Curry even tried to get Ionescu to sign a shoe deal with Under Amour, but Ducks are ever-loyal to The Swoosh, and Ionescu signed with Nike.

[RELATED: Ionescu's legacy can transcend WNBA, end of Oregon career]

Ionescu finished her illustrious career at Oregon as the only player in Division I history, men's or women's, to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds. She swept the National Player of the Year Awards and finished her career as the all-time NCAA triple-doubles leader. Her presence at Oregon altered the trajectory of an Oregon program that had been lackluster before her arrival. Now, coach Kelly Graves has the Ducks humming on the recruiting trail and Ionescu's Oregon legacy will be felt for decades.

Her college career in the rearview, Ionescu now will turn her attention to helping turn around the Liberty, who went 10-24 last season and will be without rising star Asia Durr, who tested positive for coronavirus.

The Liberty will be Ionescu's show, and there's no doubt Curry will be watching.

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