Maite Cazorla and Sabrina Ionescu could form one of the deadliest partnerships in women’s basketball during their three years together. 
With seven incoming freshmen, Cazorla, a sophomore, has had to step into the role of a veteran player. Ionescu, who was ranked fourth in her class nationally, joined the backcourt this year. Now the two skilled guards are learning to play together on the court at Matthew Knight Arena.  
“It’s really nice playing with a similar person with similar with similar basketball IQ and characteristics,” Ionescu said. “I like playing with her and I think she likes playing with me.”
Ionescu went 3-of-12 from 3-point range in her first game for Oregon, but coaches and players said her performance doesn’t foreshadow her potential. Cazorla is confident about her newest teammate succeeding in in the Pac-12.
“She’s incredible,” Cazorla said of Ionescu. “I love playing with her. She’s just really good offensively. She’s also smart on defense. She’s a really good player. I’m really sure she will [gain national attention].”
Ionescu’s capabilities range from shooting to passing to controlling the tempo of the game on the court.
“I think she’s really competitive,” Cazorla said. “She wants to do great things and she wants the team to do great things. She’s a great passer, she’s a scorer — she can do everything.”
Following Oregon’s win over Lamar, Ionescu appeared frustrated by her shooting off-night. Redshirt junior Megan Trinder knew the Ionescu, was not going to simply brush off her performance.
“She’ll probably be in the gym after this putting up threes,” Trinder said.
For head coach Kelly Graves, playing two similar guards in Cazorla and Ionescu gives Oregon plenty of options for not just this season but seasons to come.

“[They are] two players with elite vision,” Graves said. “They can really set a play up. They understand the game, they can both play pick-and-roll basketball. When they’re playing together, it’s going to be fun to watch.
“I think in some time you’re looking at a couple players who could be among the best backcourts in the country. They’re just really young right now.”
Cazorla and Ionescu could very well form a dangerous duo in Oregon’s backcourt. It will be important that the two form a relationship together on the court in which each of them can play at their best.
“Either one of us can take the ball up the court. Either one of us can go off a screen,” Ionescu said. “We see each other move the ball well. It also relieves pressure for just having one person bring it up the court or not being able to give it to another guard as well.”
Last season, Graves called UCLA’s Nirra Fields and Jordin Canada “the best 1-2 combination in the country.” With Fields graduated and the conference evolving, Graves may soon have a backcourt of his own worthy of national recognition. 
Follow Shawn Medow on Twitter @ShawnMedow