Where Ionescu, Sabally fall in ESPN's preseason top 50 WNBA rankings

TL;DR

ESPN has released its preseason top 50 WNBA player rankings for the 2026 season, with Sabrina Ionescu ranked 6th, up from 7th last year. Satou Sabally is also featured in the rankings as they reunite with the New York Liberty.

Key points

ESPN released its preseason top 50 WNBA player rankings for 2026
Sabrina Ionescu is ranked 6th, up from 7th last year
Ionescu averaged 18.2 points and 5.7 assists per game despite injuries
Satou Sabally is also featured in the rankings
The New York Liberty aims for a stronger season with Ionescu and Sabally

Sabrina IonescuSatou SaballyNew York LibertyBreanna Stewart

Ahead of the WNBA's milestone 30th regular season, ESPN dropped its annual preseason ranking of the top 50 players in the league heading into the 2026 season. The Oregon Ducks have had a pair of former stars crack the list before, and now Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally will play together once again after reuniting with the New York Liberty.

Ionescu moved up one spot from No. 7 last year to No. 6 in this year's edition of the preseason top 50 rankings. While battling multiple injuries, the former Oregon superstar scored 18.2 points and 5.7 assists per game en route to her fourth All-Star nomination. She did post some of the worst shooting numbers of her career, connecting on just 40.1% of her shots from the field and a measly 29.9% from distance, but some of that could be attributed to the health struggles that forced her to miss some time.

"Despite foot, toe and neck injuries that lingered all season and forced Ionescu to sit out six games, she equaled the career-high scoring average she posted during the Liberty's 2024 championship run," ESPN's Charlie Creme wrote. "Though her 3-point shooting dipped below 30% for the first time in her career, Ionescu ranked seventh in the league in assists and first in free throw percentage (93.3%). Still one of the WNBA's elite passers and now with a new three-year contract, a healthy Ionescu might have the ball in her hand initiating offense even more this season without Natasha Cloud beside her and in a new system of first-year coach Chris DeMarco."

The Liberty did make it back to the postseason, but fell in the first round to the Phoenix Mercury, led by Sabally. Ionescu averaged 15.7 points per game in the series, but the superteam in the Big Apple, led by (No. 4 in the 2026 preseason rankings), couldn't get it done.

Q&A

What is Sabrina Ionescu's ranking in ESPN's 2026 WNBA preseason top 50?

Sabrina Ionescu is ranked 6th in ESPN's 2026 WNBA preseason top 50.

How did injuries affect Sabrina Ionescu's performance last season?

Ionescu battled multiple injuries, leading to a dip in her shooting percentages, but still averaged 18.2 points and 5.7 assists per game.

What notable achievements did Sabrina Ionescu have in the previous season?

Ionescu earned her fourth All-Star nomination and ranked first in free throw percentage at 93.3% despite her injuries.

Who are the key players in the New York Liberty for the upcoming WNBA season?

Key players for the New York Liberty include Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, and Breanna Stewart.