University of Minnesota Athletics
Alexandra Ionescu Joins 2011 Recruiting Class
4/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Alexandra Ionescu, an athletic 5-foot-9 combo guard from Bucharest, Romania, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play women's basketball next season at the University of Minnesota, head coach Pam Borton announced Wednesday.
Ionescu adds a wealth of experience at the national level, having participated at five FIBA Youth European Championships since 2007, which includes helping Romania earn a Gold Medal in Division B at the 2010 U18 European Championships in Timisoara, Romania.
She was part of Romania's starting five at that tournament, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in a 75-49 qualifying round win versus Luxembourg. Over eight games, she averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while making 5-of-7 (.714) three-pointers.
"Playing collegiate basketball has been my dream since I started playing basketball when I was 10 years old," Ionescu said. "I've always tried to learn something from American athletes, because I love their mentality and how they are preparing for every single game and always giving their best. I'm very excited, and I'm counting the months (until I can join Minnesota's program). I can't wait to meet everyone and start practicing."
Ionescu becomes the third member of Minnesota's 2011 recruiting class, joining Rachel Banham (Lakeville North HS) and Kayla Hirt (Bemidji HS), who signed with the Golden Gophers in November. Banham and Hirt have each been ranked among the top 25 players in the nation, and Minnesota's recruiting class was ranked 17th nationally by ESPN prior to the addition of Ionescu.
"We are very fortunate to add another play-maker and point guard to our team," Borton said. "You can never have enough players who can create plays, both for themselves and for their teammates. Alex brings speed, playmaking abilities, scoring, competitiveness and her experiences at the national team level in Romania. We are excited to add Alex to our Gopher family, and expect her to be a difference-maker in the future."
In the summer of 2008, Ionescu helped Romania finish third at the U16 European Championships. Romania dropped a 60-57 decision in the semifinals to eventual champion, Greece, before defeating Slovenia, 70-56, in the consolation final. Ionescu led Romania to the third-place finish with 17 points, eight rebounds, five steals, and four assists in the win versus Slovenia, and she averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game at that tournament.
In addition, she participated at the FIBA International Camp in 2007, where she was selected to play in the all-star game, and chosen to be part of the tournament's "First Five." She also played for BC 97, Sportul Studentesc and Olimpia.
Her BC 97 team won a national championship and twice finished second. Ionescu was selected to all-star teams three times, and BC 97 also won the title at a tournament in Hungary where she received the most valuable player award. She participated in Romania's Senior National Championship with both Sportul Studentesc and Olimpia.
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