The University of Oregon’s Women’s Basketball team was already on a high from earning back to back regular season Pac-12 championships this week, and then the team received two esteemed awards from the conference on Tuesday.
Coach Kelly Graves has earned his first Pac-12 Coach of the Year award, while Junior forward Sabrina Ionescu has been named the Pac-12 Player of the Year for a second straight year.
Coach Graves tells the Pac-12 Network the honor is appreciated, but he’s looking at the bigger picture. He says “it’s really about the team’s success that- you know that’s what we’re all worried about and working towards, but it’s always nice to get recognized.”
Ionescu set a single season NCAA record with seven triple doubles. Graves says she’s the definition of a great player. “It’s quite an honor for her- she’s earned it- she’s the heart and soul of this team,” says Graves.
Ionescu was joined by teammates Ruthy Hebard, Satou Sabally, and Maite Cazorla as all-Pac-12 players for the season. Erin Boley was named honorable mention all-Pac-12.
On Friday, the Ducks will face the winner of Thursday’s USC- Arizona match up at the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas. Oregon is an early number two seed for the NCAA tournament that begins March 22nd.
