History of Sabrina Ionescu in Timeline

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 is lauded for her exceptional skills and significant impact on the sport. Her accomplishments have contributed to the increased popularity and visibility of women's basketball. Ionescu's influence extends beyond her on-court performance, solidifying her status as a key figure in the world of women's sports.

Sections (4)

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

1989: Father Escaped Communist Romania

Around 1989, Sabrina Ionescu's father, Dan Ionescu, escaped communist Romania and sought political asylum in the United States.

1995: Family Moved to the United States

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

December 6, 1997: Sabrina Ionescu's Birth

On December 6, 1997, Sabrina Elaine Ionescu was born. She would grow up to become a celebrated basketball player in the WNBA.

Others born on this day/year

2000: Oregon won the Pac-12 championship

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

2012: Freshman Season

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, contributing to her team's 27–3 record and a Northern California Section Division II runner-up finish.

2013: Sophomore Season

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

2013: High School Scoring Records

In 2013-14 Sabrina scored 598 points as a Miramonte High School student.

2014: High School Scoring Records

In 2014-15 Sabrina scored 760 points as a Miramonte High School student.

November 2015: Did Not Sign National Letter of Intent

In November 2015, during the early signing period, Sabrina Ionescu did not sign a National Letter of Intent with any school.

2015: High School Scoring Records

In 2015-16 Sabrina scored 834 points as a Miramonte High School student.

April 2016: Delayed College Decision

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

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: Named ESPNW College Basketball Player of the Week

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

November 6, 2018: Recorded 11th Triple-Double

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

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.

2018: Brother as Solely a Student at Oregon

In the 2018–19 school year, Sabrina Ionescu's twin brother Eddy was solely a student at the City College of San Francisco before transferring to Oregon.

January 2019: Possible Top Pick in Mock Draft

In January 2019, a mock draft by ESPN indicated that 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, Sabrina Ionescu announced her 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 2,000 points and 800 assists for her college career in a win over Utah State.

December 2019: Turned 22

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

2019: Declined WNBA draft, returned for Senior Season

In 2019, Despite eligibility for the WNBA draft due to age and impending bachelor's degree, Sabrina Ionescu chose to return to Oregon for her senior season, citing 'unfinished business'.

2019: Ionescu compared to Marcus Mariota

In 2019, Ducks coach Kelly Graves stated Ionescu had a chance to be a player on the level of Marcus Mariota. Also noted the rise in attendance for Oregon women's basketball games.

2019: Earned Diploma

In 2019, Sabrina Elaine Ionescu earned her diploma.

2019: Ionescu's Interview with The Washington Post

In 2019, Sabrina Ionescu mentioned to Ava Wallace of The Washington Post that she was a 'natural scorer' but developed most of her skills playing alongside boys and older girls.

2019: Led Ducks to First Final Four Appearance

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

2019: Brother Walked on to the Ducks Men's Basketball Team

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

January 24, 2020: Broke Gary Payton's Pac-12 All-Time Assist Record

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

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

On February 14, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu recorded her 1,000th career assist in a game against UCLA, joining Courtney Vandersloot as the only players in NCAA men's and women's basketball 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, highlighting her close relationship with Kobe Bryant.

April 14, 2020: Won 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.

April 17, 2020: Ionescu Drafted First Overall by New York Liberty

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

August 1, 2020: Ionescu Injured Ankle

On August 1, 2020, Sabrina Ionescu suffered a left ankle injury during the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Dream, leading to a diagnosis of a grade 3 sprain and sidelining her for the remainder of her first professional season.

2020: Drafted First Overall by New York Liberty

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

2020: Fan Poll for Oregon's Mount Rushmore

In 2020, the University polled fans on social media to name four alumni for a national Mount Rushmore, with top choices being Marcus Mariota, Steve Prefontaine, Phil Knight, and Sabrina Ionescu.

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 with 26 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to record a triple-double and securing the first triple-double for the Liberty.

July 6, 2022: Ionescu Records First 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.

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, highlighting her success on the global stage.

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

On July 14, 2023, Sabrina Ionescu scored 37 points in the WNBA Three-Point Contest, setting a new league record 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 as part of her endorsement deal with Nike.

2023: Broke WNBA Three-Point 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 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 Hroniss Grasu, an NFL center and former University of Oregon football player, who is also Romanian-American.

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, and signed with Phantom BC, joining her former college teammate, Satou Sabally.

2024: NBA vs. WNBA Three-Point Contest

In 2024, Sabrina Ionescu gained global acclaim after competing against Stephen Curry in the first NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, marking a significant moment in her career and women's basketball.

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 to her international achievements.