Sabrina Ionescu, born December 6, 1997, in Walnut Creek, California, is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the WNBA. Widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in women’s basketball history, Ionescu is known for her scoring, playmaking, and exceptional three-point shooting ability. She helped elevate the popularity of women’s basketball both on and off the court and has earned multiple awards at the collegiate and professional levels.
Ionescu played for the Oregon Ducks from 2016 to 2020, where she set the NCAA career triple-double record and became the Pac-12 all-time leader in assists. She was selected first overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty and has already won a WNBA championship, multiple All-Star selections, and gold medals with Team USA. Off the court, she is a trailblazer with signature Nike shoes and involvement in women’s sports initiatives.
Quick Facts of Sabrina Ionescu
| Full Name | Sabrina Elaine Ionescu |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 6, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Walnut Creek, California, USA |
| Age | 27 |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg) |
| High School | Miramonte High School, Orinda, CA |
| College | Oregon (2016–2020) |
| WNBA Team | New York Liberty (2020–present) |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Jersey Number | 20 |
| Career Highlights | WNBA Champion (2024), 4× WNBA All-Star (2022–2025), 2× WNBA Three-Point Shootout Champion (2023, 2025), NCAA Career Triple-Double Leader, 2× John R. Wooden Award (2019, 2020), Naismith College Player of the Year (2020), Olympic Gold Medalist (2024) |
| Endorsements | Nike (Sabrina 1 & 2), SI20 Foundation |
| National Team | USA Basketball – 3×3 & 5×5 (Olympics & World Cup) |
Early Life
Ionescu was born to Romanian-American parents in Walnut Creek. Her father, Dan, emigrated from Romania seeking political asylum, eventually settling in Northern California. Sabrina has a twin brother, Edward, who also played basketball at Oregon. Growing up in a Romanian-speaking household, she began playing basketball at age three and developed her skills competing against boys and older players.
High School Career
Ionescu attended Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, where she was a four-year varsity starter. She finished her high school career with 2,606 points, 769 assists, 549 steals, and 21 triple-doubles. She earned national honors including USA Today Girls Basketball Player of the Year, MaxPreps Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American MVP.
College Career
At Oregon, Ionescu became one of the most decorated players in NCAA history. She set the career triple-double record, became the Pac-12 all-time assists leader, and helped the Ducks reach their first Final Four. She won the John R. Wooden Award, Wade Trophy, Naismith Player of the Year, and several other national honors. Ionescu was also instrumental in raising attendance and visibility for Oregon women’s basketball.
Professional Career
WNBA – New York Liberty
Selected first overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft, Ionescu made an immediate impact despite an ankle injury in her rookie season. She became the fastest player in WNBA history to record a triple-double and posted the league’s first 30-point triple-double in 2022. Ionescu led the Liberty to the WNBA Finals in 2023 and helped the team capture its first championship in 2024.
Phantom BC – Unrivaled League
In 2025, Ionescu joined Phantom BC in the inaugural season of the women’s 3-on-3 league Unrivaled, reuniting with former Oregon teammate Satou Sabally.
Three-Point Contests
Ionescu is recognized as one of the WNBA’s best three-point shooters. She holds the WNBA Three-Point Contest record, competed against Stephen Curry in 2024, and won the 2025 WNBA three-point contest.
Off the Court
Ionescu signed a signature shoe deal with Nike, becoming the first female player to release a unisex signature basketball shoe. She also serves as director of athletic culture at Oregon and hosts the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase to develop girls’ basketball in the Bay Area.
National Team Career
Ionescu has won multiple gold medals with Team USA, including at the 2024 Olympics and the 2022 FIBA World Cup. She also competed in 3×3 basketball, winning MVP honors at the 2018 USA Basketball 3×3 Championship and representing the U.S. at the World Cup.
