History of Sabrina Ionescu in Timeline

Sabrina Ionescu is an American professional basketball player renowned as one of the WNBA's greatest three-point shooters, currently playing for the New York Liberty. A four-time WNBA All-Star and All-WNBA Team selection, her accomplishments extend to the international stage, where she earned an Olympic gold medal as a member of the United States national team. She is a prominent figure in 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 moves to the US

In 1995, Sabrina Ionescu's mother and brother were able to move to the US and join her father, Dan Ionescu, who had settled in Northern California.

December 6, 1997: Sabrina Ionescu Born

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

Others born on this day/year

2000: Oregon wins 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, Ionescu started 14 of 29 games, averaging 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 Year

In 2013, during her sophomore year, Ionescu helped her team achieve a 30–2 record.

2013: Single Season Scoring Record

In 2013-2014, Ionescu had 598 points, securing the top three single-season scoring records.

2014: Single Season Scoring Record

In 2014-2015, Ionescu had 760 points, securing the top three single-season scoring records.

November 2015: Did not sign Letter of Intent

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

2015: Single Season Scoring Record

In 2015-2016, Ionescu had 834 points, securing the top three single-season scoring records.

April 2016: Did not sign Letter of Intent

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

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.

February 26, 2018: ESPNW Player of the Week

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

April 2018: Ionescu Competes in USA Basketball 3x3 Championship

In late April 2018, Sabrina Ionescu and her Oregon teammates entered the USA Basketball women's national 3x3 championship tournament. She led her team to the championship while going unbeaten and was named tournament MVP.

November 6, 2018: 11th triple-double

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

December 20, 2018: Breaks 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.

2018: Brother attends Oregon

In 2018, Sabrina Ionescu's twin brother, Eddy, became a student at Oregon.

January 2019: Possible top pick

In January 2019, a mock draft by ESPN suggested Sabrina Ionescu as a possible top pick for the WNBA.

April 6, 2019: Announces return

On April 6, 2019, Sabrina Ionescu announced that she would return to Oregon for her senior season.

November 13, 2019: Surpasses 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 in a win over Utah State.

December 2019: Turns 22

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

2019: Comparisons to Marcus Mariota

In 2019, Ducks coach Kelly Graves compared Ionescu to Marcus Mariota, recognizing her potential to become an esteemed Oregon Duck. He noted that attendance at Oregon women's games had dramatically increased during Ionescu's career at the school.

2019: Earned Diploma

In 2019, Sabrina Ionescu earned her diploma.

2019: Leads Ducks to Final Four

In 2019, Sabrina Ionescu led the Oregon Ducks to their first Final Four appearance after an 88–84 victory over Mississippi State.

2019: Brother joins basketball team

In 2019, Sabrina Ionescu's twin brother, Eddy, walked on to the Oregon Ducks men's basketball team.

2019: Chooses to Return for Senior Season

In 2019, despite being eligible for the WNBA draft, Sabrina Ionescu chose to return to Oregon for her senior season, citing "unfinished business."

2019: Interview with The Washington Post

In a 2019 interview with Ava Wallace of The Washington Post, Sabrina Ionescu discussed her development as a basketball player, attributing her skill set to playing with both boys and older girls during her childhood.

January 24, 2020: Breaks 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 personally congratulating her.

February 14, 2020: Reaches 1,000 Career Assists

On February 14, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu recorded her 1,000th career assist in a game against #7 UCLA, becoming one of only two players in NCAA history with 2,000+ points and 1,000+ assists.

February 24, 2020: Ionescu Spoke 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, Sabrina Ionescu was named the winner of the Honda Sports Award as the best collegiate female basketball player in the nation, along with several other national player of the year awards.

April 17, 2020: Selected First Overall in WNBA Draft

On April 17, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu was selected by the New York Liberty 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 in the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Dream, leading to a diagnosis of a grade 3 sprain. This injury was expected to keep her out for about a month, but she ultimately missed the remainder of her first professional season.

2020: Drafted to WNBA

In 2020, Sabrina Ionescu was selected first overall by the New York Liberty in the WNBA draft, marking the beginning of her professional career.

May 18, 2021: Ionescu Records First 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. This was also the first triple-double for the Liberty and the tenth in league history.

July 6, 2022: Ionescu Achieves 30-Point Triple-Double

On July 6, 2022, Sabrina Ionescu recorded the first 30-point triple-double in WNBA history, scoring 31 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 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: 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 Three-Point Contest Record

On July 14, 2023, Sabrina Ionescu scored 37 points in the Three-Point Contest, the highest in WNBA history, making 25 of her final 27 shots.

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

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

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

2023: Breaks WNBA records

In 2023, Sabrina Ionescu broke the WNBA single-season record in three-pointers and the WNBA Three-Point Contest record, showcasing her exceptional shooting skills.

February 17, 2024: Ionescu Competes 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.

March 10, 2024: Ionescu Marries Hroniss Grasu

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

June 2024: Ionescu Named to Olympic Team

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

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, a women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She signed with Phantom BC, joining her former college teammate, Satou Sabally.

2024: Liberty Win WNBA Championship

In 2024, Ionescu and the Liberty matched up against the Minnesota Lynx and won the WNBA Championship. In game 3 against Minnesota, Ionescu scored the game-winning three-pointer to give the Liberty a 2–1 series lead. In the fifth game, Ionescu had 8 assists and 7 rebounds, helping the team win its first championship in the history of the franchise.

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: Debut of the Sabrina 2 Shoe

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

2024: Stats Current Through End of 2024 Season

Stats current through end of the 2024 season for Sabrina Ionescu.

July 16, 2025: Announcement for the 2025 Three-Point Contest

On July 16, 2025, Sabrina Ionescu was announced as one of the contestants for the 2025 three-point contest.

2025: Participating in the Inaugural 2025 Unrivaled Season

In 2025, Sabrina Ionescu will participate in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled league, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She signed with Phantom BC, joining her former college teammate, Satou Sabally.