Miramonte Alumna, Sabrina Ionescu Continues to Make Basketball History
By Cathy Cordova, The Orinda News
March 28, 2024
The most famous of our Miramonte alumni athletes doesn't play in the NFL, NBA or MLB. This basketball player set several all-time records, including leading scorer, leader in assists and leader in steals.
SHE is Sabrina Ionescu, a superstar point guard for the New York Liberty team in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Ionescu, who achieved the single-season WNBA record in 2023 with 128 3-pointers, made history again by challenging Steph Curry – who has the most 3-pointers in NBA history – to a one-on-one 3-point match. The first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge was held on Feb. 17 in Indianapolis during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Ionescu, throwing from the NBA line, tallied a score of 26 in 70 seconds – as much as any male player had scored in the preceding Starry 3-Point Contest and exceeding most industry and audience expectations. Curry's score of 29 gave him a narrow victory
With her record-breaking season and historical 3-point challenge, Ionescu continues to build the legacy she began on the basketball courts of Miramonte.
How did your time on Miramonte's basketball team prepare you to play professionally?
Coaching and competition. Miramonte definitely played a big part in my development. From day one I was coached and held to a high standard of accountability by coach (Kelly) Sopak. We were fortunate enough to play in some of the most competitive events while at Miramonte, traveling to places like Arizona and Hawaii to play the best competition possible.
How did your family support you?
Family is a huge part of my journey today and has been since the day I picked up a basketball. I have two brothers (older brother Andrei lives in Orinda) and twin brother Eddy (lives in Lafayette) whom I grew up playing against. Eddy and I played at Miramonte and Oregon at the same time and still play against each other today! My mom and dad still attend nearly every game, just like they did at Miramonte.
How did this free throw challenge with Steph Curry come about?
I have had a relationship with Steph since my days in Oregon. After the WNBA 3-point contest, we began a dialogue and began throwing around ideas and it took off from there. I saw this as a great opportunity to grow the game of ?basketball.
What was it like to compete in this first of its kind 3-point contest between a top WNBA player and a top NBA player?
It was amazing. I was able to have my entire family come out and watch. It is an experience that I will never forget.
How do you want to inspire girls and women in athletics or other fields?
I want girls to be strong and confident and continue to believe in themselves.
Do you think the huge pay disparity between the WNBA and the NBA will ever change? (National Public Radio reports the average NBA salary is about $5.4 million compared to about $120,600 in the WNBA).
Yes, it will change with more investment that is made in the WNBA. We have seen a lot more interest in the WNBA in terms of sponsors and viewership in the last few years. We have a great game and some incredibly talented women in this league and it is an honor to be a part of it.
Tell us about your signature shoe with Nike.
It has been surreal and so much fun to design. It took a couple years to get the shoe to market but I could not be more proud. The Sabrina 1 is the first unisex basketball shoe and that was really important to me when designing this shoe. I wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the shoe – from boys and girls in rec leagues, to men and women in the pros. The best part is all the feedback has been positive and the shoe is doing very well. Stay tuned for the next release. (To see the shoes, go to nike.com/t/sabrina-1-team-basketball-shoes-bVkR71.)
We understand you got engaged last year. Tell us about your fiancé and wedding plans?
Yes, it has been very exciting and as people know, it's a lot of work planning for a wedding. My fiancé is also a professional athlete and our schedules can be difficult to align, but that has only added to the excitement. We are both really enjoying the planning stage and are looking forward to March when we can celebrate our special day with family and close ?friends.
What's your best advice to aspiring athletes?
Have fun. You don't have to be a professional basketball player to follow your passion. Find your passion and continue to work hard to be the best you can be.
https://theorindanews.com/2024/03/28/miramonte-alumna-sabrina-ionescu-continues-to-make-basketball-history/
