Sabrina Ionescu is taking the snub in stride.
After winning gold medals with Team USA in the 2024 Olympics and the 2022 FIBA World Cup, the four-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall pick said she was “kind of” surprised to learn Thursday that she was not selected to join the national team for the upcoming World Cup in Berlin.
“[I’m] disappointed, of course,” Ionescu said Saturday. “That’s obviously something that I wanted to participate in, but I think it’s just maturity, like, I understand how difficult it is. I’m excited for a lot of the new faces that get to go and have the opportunity to do the World Cup. I’ve done it already, so it didn’t rub me the wrong way. I really understand the honor it is to wear the jersey and I’ve been able to win a gold medal, so I’m very blessed.
“I know I’ve kind of dealt with some injuries, and obviously there’s so much talent, so you kind of never know, it could go any way. So I don’t know if surprised is the right word. It just is what it is.”
Ionescu, 28, is one of five players from the 2024 Olympic roster who will not return for the World Cup, having been excluded in favor of a younger, star-studded group of first-time additions (Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Aliyah Boston and Rhyne Howard).
Breanna Stewart — a three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Cup winner — was a lock to rejoin Team USA.
She thought her Liberty teammate was, too.
“I think that for her to be left off the World Cup roster, I was surprised,” Stewart said. “Definitely not a nice feeling for her, but I feel like she’s taking it in a positive way. She’s talked about [she’s] gonna use this time to make sure [she’s] really healthy and ready for our playoff push and those types of things.”
Ionescu, who participated in the national team’s training camp in April, was informed of the decision by Sue Bird, USA Basketball’s senior women’s national team managing director, but the Liberty star said she was not given much clarity regarding why she was passed over.
So, her attention now turns to the Liberty’s stretch run — and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“I think just for me it’s obviously staying confident in my abilities, knowing obviously my goal is to play L.A. ’28, and kind of just using it to continue to get better,” Ionesecu said. “I’m gonna show up to everything I possibly can as long as my body allows it … Any time I get a chance to represent the U.S. I’m going to be there.
“I’m not a jealous person or someone that you feel like maybe you failed or didn’t accomplish something, and you come out and you bad-mouth and you’re mad. For me, it’s about uplifting the players that did make the team, and honestly, showcasing to so many young girls and young boys what it looks like when maybe you didn’t accomplish something that you set your mind on doing, but how you can continue to put your best foot forward and keep striving for what your goals are and what you want to achieve while also being a good person. So for me, it honestly is an opportunity to be better and work on myself and be the best that I can to put myself in a position to help this country.”
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