History of Sabrina Ionescu in Timeline

Sabrina Ionescu is a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. Renowned for her exceptional skills and achievements during her collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks, she is widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball players ever. Her impact on the sport extends beyond the professional level, influencing aspiring athletes and contributing to the growth of women's basketball.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1989: Father Escapes Communist Romania

In 1989, Dan Ionescu, Sabrina's father, escaped communist Romania seeking political asylum in the United States.

1995: Family Reunites in the US

In 1995, Dan Ionescu's wife, Liliana Blaj, and their son Andrei, were able to move to the United States.

December 6, 1997: Sabrina Ionescu's Birth

On December 6, 1997, Sabrina Elaine Ionescu was born. She is now a professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the WNBA.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Pac-12 Championship

In 2018, Oregon won the Pac-12 championship for the first time since 2000.

2012: Freshman Year

In 2012, as a freshman, Sabrina Ionescu started 14 of 29 games, averaging 13.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.9 steals per game. Her team achieved a 27–3 record and finished as the runner-up in the Northern California Section Division II.

2013: Single-Season Scoring Record

In 2013-14 season, Ionescu set one of the top three single-season scoring records with 598 points.

2013: Sophomore Year

In 2013–14, as a sophomore, Ionescu helped her team achieve a 30–2 record.

2014: Single-Season Scoring Record

In 2014-15 season, Ionescu set one of the top three single-season scoring records with 760 points.

November 2015: Delayed College Choice

In November 2015, during the early signing period, Ionescu did not sign a National Letter of Intent with any school, making her college choice difficult.

2015: Single-Season Scoring Record

In 2015-16 season, Ionescu set one of the top three single-season scoring records with 834 points.

April 2016: Delayed College Choice

In April 2016, during the late signing period, Ionescu still had not signed a National Letter of Intent with any school, making her college choice difficult.

November 13, 2016: Collegiate Debut

On November 13, 2016, Ionescu made her collegiate debut for Oregon, scoring 11 points in an 84–67 win over Lamar.

February 26, 2018: ESPNW Player of the Week

On February 26, 2018, Ionescu was named ESPNW's college basketball player of the week.

April 2018: Ionescu and Oregon Teammates Win USA Basketball 3x3 Championship

In April 2018, Sabrina Ionescu and her Oregon teammates won the USA Basketball women's national 3x3 championship tournament, with Ionescu named tournament MVP. They were selected to represent the US at the 2018 3x3 World Cup.

November 6, 2018: 11th Triple-Double

On November 6, 2018, Ionescu recorded her 11th triple-double in a victory against Alaska-Fairbanks.

December 20, 2018: Breaks NCAA Triple-Double Record

On December 20, 2018, Ionescu recorded her 13th triple-double in a game against Air Force, breaking the NCAA triple-double record for both men's and women's basketball. She was named ESPNW Player of the Week.

2018: Brother Plays at City College of San Francisco

In 2018, Sabrina's twin brother, Eddy, played basketball at the City College of San Francisco.

January 2019: Possible Top Pick

In January 2019, an ESPN mock draft suggested that Ionescu could be a top pick in the WNBA draft if she were to declare.

April 6, 2019: Announces Return to Oregon

On April 6, 2019, Ionescu announced in The Players' Tribune that she would return to Oregon for her senior season, foregoing the 2019 WNBA draft.

November 13, 2019: Surpasses 2,000 Points and 800 Assists

On November 13, 2019, in the second game of her senior season, Ionescu surpassed 2,000 points and 800 assists for her college career in a win over Utah State. She recorded 2,012 career points and 810 career assists.

December 2019: Eligibility for WNBA Draft

In December 2019, Ionescu turned 22, making her eligible to declare for the 2019 WNBA draft.

2019: Final Four Appearance

In 2019, Ionescu led the Oregon Ducks to their first Final Four appearance after a victory over Mississippi State.

2019: Earns Diploma

In 2019, Sabrina Ionescu earned her diploma.

2019: Increased Attendance at Games

In 2019, coach Kelly Graves noted that attendance at Oregon women's basketball games had dramatically increased during Ionescu's career.

2019: Returns to Oregon for Senior Season

In 2019, despite being eligible for the WNBA draft, Ionescu chose to return to Oregon for her senior season, believing she had "unfinished business" there. She also accepted a place in a master's program in brand creation at Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications.

2019: Brother Joins Oregon Ducks

In 2019–20 school year, Sabrina's twin brother Eddy walked on to the Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team.

January 24, 2020: Breaks Pac-12 Assist Record

On January 24, 2020, in a game against Oregon State, Ionescu broke Gary Payton's Pac-12 all-time record of 938 assists, finishing the game with 24 points, 9 assists, and 4 rebounds.

February 14, 2020: Joins 2,000 Points/1,000 Assists Club

On February 14, 2020, Ionescu recorded her 1,000th career assist in a game against UCLA, becoming one of two players in NCAA history with 2,000+ points and 1,000+ assists.

February 24, 2020: Ionescu Speaks at Kobe & Gianna Bryant Celebration of Life

On February 24, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu spoke at the Kobe & Gianna Bryant Celebration of Life at the Staples Center.

April 14, 2020: Wins Honda Sports Award

On April 14, 2020, Ionescu was named the winner of the Honda Sports Award as the best collegiate female basketball player in the nation.

April 17, 2020: Drafted #1 Overall

On April 17, 2020, the New York Liberty selected Ionescu with the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft.

August 1, 2020: Ionescu Injured Ankle

On August 1, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu injured her left ankle during a game against the Atlanta Dream, diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain, sidelining her for the remainder of her first WNBA season.

2020: Mount Rushmore Poll

Shortly after the premature end of Ionescu's senior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the university polled fans on social media to name the four Oregon alumni to put on a national Mount Rushmore.

May 18, 2021: Ionescu Records First Professional Triple-Double

On May 18, 2021, Sabrina Ionescu achieved her first professional triple-double in her 6th career game, scoring 26 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to do so and marking the first Liberty triple-double.

July 6, 2022: Ionescu Records First 30-Point Triple-Double in WNBA History

On July 6, 2022, Sabrina Ionescu recorded the first 30-point triple-double in WNBA history, scoring 31 points, with 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

November 11, 2022: Ionescu Rejoined Oregon as Director of Athletic Culture

On November 11, 2022, Sabrina Ionescu rejoined her alma mater, Oregon, as the director of athletic culture.

November 14, 2022: Ionescu Ranked in Forbes 30 Under 30

On November 14, 2022, Sabrina Ionescu was ranked in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Sports.

2022: Ionescu Hosts Sabrina Ionescu Showcase

Since 2022, Sabrina Ionescu has hosted the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase for girls basketball teams in the Bay Area.

July 14, 2023: Ionescu Sets WNBA Three-Point Contest Record

On July 14, 2023, Sabrina Ionescu set a new WNBA record in the Three-Point Contest, scoring 37 points and making 25 of her final 27 shots.

September 1, 2023: Nike Sabrina 1's Released

On September 1, 2023, Sabrina Ionescu's first signature shoe, the Nike Sabrina 1's, were released.

NIKE Sabrina 1 Family Bonds Womens FQ3381-001 (Black/Photo Blue-EMERAL), Size 9

Check it on Amazon

2023: Liberty Lost in WNBA Finals

In 2023, Ionescu and the Liberty advanced to the WNBA Finals but were defeated by the Las Vegas Aces, 3 games to 1.

February 17, 2024: Ionescu Competes Against Stephen Curry in Three-Point Contest

On February 17, 2024, Sabrina Ionescu competed against Stephen Curry in a three-point contest during the NBA All-Star Weekend, scoring 26 points to Curry's 29.

March 10, 2024: Ionescu Marries Hroniss Grasu

On March 10, 2024, Sabrina Ionescu married NFL center Hroniss Grasu, also a Romanian-American and former University of Oregon football player.

June 2024: Ionescu Named to US Olympic Team and Wins Gold Medal

In June 2024, Sabrina Ionescu was named to the US women's Olympic team and later won her first Olympic gold medal after the United States defeated France 67–66 in the final at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France.

December 23, 2024: Ionescu Joins Unrivaled League

On December 23, 2024, Sabrina Ionescu was announced as the final roster spot for the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, signing with Phantom BC.

2024: Liberty advanced to WNBA Finals

In 2024, Ionescu and the Liberty advanced to the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx and won the championship.

2024: Ionescu Declines Three-Point Contest Invitation

In 2024, Sabrina Ionescu was invited to participate in the three-point contest but declined the offer.

2024: Nike Sabrina 2 Debuts

In the summer of 2024, Sabrina Ionescu's second signature shoe with Nike, the Sabrina 2, debuted.

Sabrina 2 Basketball Shoes (FQ2174-601, Pink Foam/Elemental Pink/Black) Size 9.5

Check it on Amazon

2024: Stats Current Through End of 2024 Season

The basketball statistics for Sabrina Ionescu are current through the end of the 2024 season.

2025: Ionescu inaugural season with Unrivaled League

In 2025, Sabrina Ionescu will be participating in inaugural season with Unrivaled League, the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, playing for Phantom BC.