Back in the WNBA Finals, East Bay’s Ionescu on cusp of capping off banner year with title

Sabrina Ionescu is three wins away from putting the finishing touches on an unparalleled calendar year. She dueled with Stephen Curry in the three-point contest at All-Star Weekend. She won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics. She launched her second signature shoe. She’s had the best season of her WNBA career, and she’s on the cusp of helping bring the New York Liberty their first title.

To Kelly Sopak, who coached the star from third grade through high school, Ionescu’s continued ascent isn’t surprising in the least.