Sabrina Ionescu"s debut in the NBA sneaker scene with her signature shoe, the Sabrina 1s, has made significant waves, capturing the attention and admiration of players across the league.
"She put out a heater with her first shoe."
ESPN story on why Sabrina Ionescu’s debut signature shoe has become a favorite among Nike’s NBA players: https://t.co/u8qjjY3PZM
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 5, 2024
Ionescu, a standout player for the New York Liberty in the WNBA, watched with anticipation as Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics became the first NBA player to don the Sabrina 1s during a game.
Holiday had worn Sabrina 1s during media day and preseason games, but it was a milestone moment for Ionescu to watch Holiday in a player-exclusive white, black, and blue colorway during Boston"s Oct. 17 win against the New York Knicks.
Holiday"s choice to wear the Sabrina 1s sparked a trend across the league, with 77 NBA players opting to sport the sneakers on the court throughout the 2023-24 season.
From established stars to rising talents, the Sabrina 1s have become a popular choice, praised for their sleek design, comfort, and performance.
The Sabrina 1s have been spotted regularly in the men"s and women"s NCAA tournaments this season.
Ionescu personally gifted pairs to Caitlin Clark, the superstar likely destined for her signature shoe deal, and her Iowa teammates this week before the Hawkeyes" Final Four appearance.
The shoes have even made waves internationally, with American-born Fenerbahce forward Nigel Hayes-Davis wearing them while setting a EuroLeague single-game scoring record on March 29.
With a design that includes a vertically slanted swoosh symbolizing breaking barriers, the Sabrina 1s reflect Ionescu"s history of trailblazing achievements.
She was the first player in NCAA history, man or woman, to have 2,000 points and 1,000 combined rebounds and assists in a career. Last season, she broke Diana Taurasi"s 17-year record for most 3-pointers in a WNBA season.
And most recently she took on Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry in a 3-point duel during NBA All-Star Weekend in February.
Ionescu"s collaboration with Nike drew inspiration from Kobe Bryant"s signature shoes, incorporating elements of her favorite Kobes into the Sabrina 1s" design.
Featuring aesthetic nods to Ionescu"s Romanian heritage, such as intricate embroidery and eyelets inspired by Romanian art and architecture, the Sabrina 1s offer a blend of style and functionality.
The fashion aspect is significant, as are the personal touches, a stylized “S" in a circle on the tongue and a lowercase “i" on the heel that also features her signature, but Ionescu is proudest of the functional quality of her signature shoe.
Nike sells nine standard colorways of the Sabrina 1s, also offering the option to customize. That has unlocked a bit of nostalgia for some players.
