Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sabrina Ionescu

Discover the career path of Sabrina Ionescu, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sabrina Ionescu is a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. She's recognized as one of the best three-point shooters in WNBA history. Ionescu is also credited with increasing the overall popularity and visibility of women's basketball.

Sections (4)

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

2012: Freshman year of high school

In 2012, as a freshman, Ionescu started 14 of 29 games and averaged 13.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.9 steals per game, contributing to her team's 27-3 record and a Northern California Section Division II runner-up finish.

2013: Career Records

By 2013, Ionescu had already set impressive records, including leading in assists, steals, and triple-doubles, along with top single-season scoring records, showcasing her exceptional talent early in her career.

2013: Sophomore year of high school

In 2013, as a sophomore, Ionescu helped her team achieve a 30-2 record, marking another successful season in her high school career.

2014: Career Records

By 2014, Ionescu had already set impressive records, including leading in assists, steals, and triple-doubles, along with top single-season scoring records, showcasing her exceptional talent early in her career.

2015: Career Records

By 2015, Ionescu had already set impressive records, including leading in assists, steals, and triple-doubles, along with top single-season scoring records, showcasing her exceptional talent early in her career.

November 13, 2016: Collegiate Debut for Oregon

On November 13, 2016, Sabrina Ionescu made her collegiate debut for Oregon, scoring 11 points in an 84-67 victory over Lamar, marking the beginning of her college basketball career.

April 2018: USA Basketball 3x3 Championship

In late April 2018, Sabrina Ionescu and her Oregon teammates participated in the USA Basketball women's national 3x3 championship tournament, where they won the championship and she was named tournament MVP.

November 6, 2018: Recorded 11th triple-double

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

December 20, 2018: Broke the 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.

January 2019: Possible top pick in WNBA draft

In January 2019, ESPN's mock draft indicated that Ionescu was a possible top pick should she declare for the WNBA draft.

April 6, 2019: Announced 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: Surpassed 2,000 points and 800 assists

On November 13, 2019, Ionescu surpassed the 2,000 points and 800 assists mark for her college career in a win over Utah State, solidifying her position as a top player.

December 2019: Eligible to declare for the 2019 WNBA draft

In December 2019, Ionescu turned 22 and became eligible to declare for the 2019 WNBA draft.

2019: Chose to return for her 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" at the university.

2019: First Final Four appearance

In the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Ionescu led the Ducks to their first Final Four appearance after a victory over Mississippi State, showcasing her leadership and skills on the court.

January 24, 2020: Broke Pac-12 all-time record of 938 assists

On January 24, 2020, Ionescu broke Gary Payton's Pac-12 all-time record of 938 assists in a game against Oregon State, with Payton personally congratulating her on the achievement.

February 14, 2020: Recorded 1,000th career assist

On February 14, 2020, Ionescu recorded her 1,000th career assist in a game against UCLA, joining Courtney Vandersloot as the only players in NCAA history with 2,000+ points and 1,000+ assists.

April 17, 2020: Drafted #1 Overall by New York Liberty

On April 17, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu was selected by the New York Liberty as the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, marking a significant career milestone.

2020: Selected first overall in the WNBA draft

In 2020, Ionescu was selected first overall by the New York Liberty in the WNBA draft, marking a significant milestone in her career.

May 18, 2021: First Professional Triple-Double

On May 18, 2021, Ionescu achieved her first professional triple-double in her 6th career game, recording 26 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to achieve this milestone. It was also the first Liberty triple-double and the tenth in league history.

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

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

November 11, 2022: Director of Athletic Culture at Oregon

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

November 14, 2022: Ranked in Forbes 30 Under 30

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

2022: Won gold medals with the United States women's national basketball team

In 2022, Ionescu won gold medals with the United States women's national basketball team at the FIBA World Cup.

2022: Sabrina Ionescu Showcase

Since 2022, Sabrina Ionescu has hosted the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase for girls basketball teams in the Bay Area, often held at Carondolet High School.

July 14, 2023: WNBA Three-Point Contest Record

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

September 1, 2023: Release of Nike Sabrina 1's

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

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

Check it on Amazon

2023: WNBA Finals Appearance

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

2023: WNBA single-season record in three-pointers

In 2023, Ionescu broke the WNBA single-season record in three-pointers and the WNBA Three-Point Contest record.

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

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.

June 2024: Named to US Olympic Team

In June 2024, Sabrina Ionescu was named to the US women's Olympic team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in France.

December 23, 2024: Signing with 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, signing with Phantom BC alongside her former college teammate, Satou Sabally.

2024: WNBA Finals Appearance and First Championship

In 2024, Ionescu and the Liberty advanced to the WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx. In game 3 Ionescu scored the game-winning three-pointer. Despite a difficult shooting night in game 5, Ionescu contributed 8 assists and 7 rebounds, helping the team secure its first championship in franchise history.

2024: Competed against Stephen Curry in NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest

In 2024, Ionescu gained global acclaim after competing against Stephen Curry in the first NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend.