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 for the New York Liberty in the WNBA. Recognized as one of the league's premier three-point shooters, she has significantly contributed to elevating the visibility and popularity of women's basketball. Her exceptional skills and impact on the sport have solidified her status as a key figure in the WNBA.

Sections (4)

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

2000: Oregon Won Pac-12 Championship

Oregon also won the Pac-12 championship for the first time since 2000.

2012: Freshman Season

As a freshman in 2012–13, Sabrina 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: Sophomore Season

In 2013–14, as a sophomore, Ionescu contributed to her team's impressive 30–2 record, showcasing her growing impact on the court.

2013: Single-Season Scoring Record

Ionescu had 598 points in the 2013–14 season, which was one of the top three single-season scoring records at Miramonte.

2014: Single-Season Scoring Record

Ionescu had 760 points in the 2014–15 season, which was one of the top three single-season scoring records at Miramonte.

2015: Single-Season Scoring Record

Ionescu had 834 points in the 2015–16 season, which was one of the top three single-season scoring records at Miramonte.

November 13, 2016: Collegiate Debut for Oregon

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

April 2018: Ionescu Wins USA Basketball 3x3 Championship

In late April 2018, Sabrina Ionescu and her Oregon teammates won the USA Basketball women's national 3x3 championship tournament. Ionescu was named tournament MVP, leading her team to an undefeated record.

November 6, 2018: Recorded Eleventh Triple-Double

On November 6, 2018, Sabrina Ionescu recorded her 11th triple-double in a victory against Alaska-Fairbanks, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile player.

December 20, 2018: Broke NCAA Triple-Double Record

On December 20, 2018, Sabrina 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: Projected as a Top WNBA Pick

In January 2019, an ESPN mock draft suggested Sabrina Ionescu was a possible top pick for the WNBA draft, should she declare.

April 6, 2019: Announced Return to Oregon

On April 6, 2019, the day after Oregon's loss to Baylor in the Final Four, Sabrina Ionescu announced she would return to Oregon for her senior season in an open letter published in The Players' Tribune.

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

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

2019: Returned to Oregon for Senior Season

Despite eligibility for the 2019 WNBA draft, Sabrina Ionescu chose to return to Oregon for her senior season, citing "unfinished business" and enrolling in a master's program.

2019: Led Ducks to First Final Four Appearance

In the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Sabrina Ionescu led the Ducks to their first Final Four appearance after a victory over Mississippi State, marking a significant achievement for the team.

January 24, 2020: Broke Pac-12 All-Time Assist Record

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

February 14, 2020: Recorded 1,000th Career Assist

On February 14, 2020, in a game against #7 UCLA, Sabrina Ionescu recorded her 1,000th career assist, joining Courtney Vandersloot as the only players in NCAA history with 2,000+ points and 1,000+ assists.

April 17, 2020: Ionescu Drafted First Overall

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 milestone in her career.

2020: Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

In 2020, Ionescu, regarded as one of the greatest collegiate players, was selected first overall by the New York Liberty in the WNBA draft, marking a significant milestone in her career.

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. She became the fastest player in WNBA history to record a triple double and earned the first Liberty triple-double.

July 6, 2022: Ionescu Achieves 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 another significant achievement in her career.

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

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

2022: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Cup

In 2022, Sabrina Ionescu won a gold medal with the United States women's national basketball team at the FIBA World Cup, showcasing her talent on a global stage.

2022: Inauguration of Sabrina Ionescu Showcase

Since 2022, Sabrina Ionescu has hosted the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase for girls basketball teams in the Bay Area, fostering young talent and promoting the sport.

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 with 37 points, surpassing all previous scores in WNBA history.

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

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

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

Check it on Amazon

2023: Liberty Advance to WNBA Finals

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

2023: Broke WNBA Records

In 2023, Sabrina Ionescu broke the WNBA single-season record in three-pointers and the WNBA Three-Point Contest record solidifying her reputation as an exceptional shooter.

February 17, 2024: Ionescu Competes Against Stephen Curry

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

June 2024: Ionescu Named to US Olympic Team

In June 2024, Sabrina Ionescu was selected to represent the United States in women's basketball 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, and signed with Phantom BC, joining her former college teammate, Satou Sabally.

2024: Liberty Win First Championship

In 2024, Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty faced the Minnesota Lynx, ultimately winning the series and securing the franchise's first championship. In game 3, Ionescu scored the game-winning three-pointer to give the Liberty a 2-1 series lead. She contributed leading Liberty with 8 assists and 7 rebounds in the fifth game, helping the team win its first championship in the history of the franchise.

2024: Competed against Stephen Curry in NBA All-Star Weekend

In 2024, Sabrina Ionescu gained global acclaim after competing against Stephen Curry in the first NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest at the NBA All-Star Weekend, marking a unique and high-profile event in her career.

2024: Ionescu Declines Three-Point Contest Invitation

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

2024: Won Gold Medal at Summer Olympics

In 2024, Sabrina Ionescu won a gold medal with the United States women's national basketball team at the Summer Olympics, adding an international achievement to her career.