Hardly anyone would argue that Sabrina Ionescu is on track to be one of the greatest WNBA players to step foot on the court. In just 4 years, the 26-year-old has emerged as one of the most reliable and efficient rosters in the New York Liberty. But what’s the recipe behind the making of such a phenomenal athlete? Well, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Ionescu’s father Dan seems to have the answer to that.

Sabrina Ionescu recently joined Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Adam Silver. This trifecta was champions of change to interact with Taylor Rooks at the Fanatics Fest 2024 held in New York. The conversation circled around the growing impact of basketball worldwide. Herein, Silver, sharing his thoughts on how basketball plays its part in the creation of good leaders, recollected a conversation he had with Sabrina’s dad. Silver went on and said, “At a Liberty game, I was talking about my daughter. I went up to your dad and said, ‘Mr Ionescu, what’s the secret?'” 

Following this, Dan grabs Adam Silver’s daughter’s arm, who was 4 at that time, and opens up about one of the essentials behind any successful athlete. “He grabbed my daughter’s skinny little arms and he said ‘It’s not this.’ And then he puts his hand on her heart and he goes ‘It’s this.’ It’s what’s inside you.” 

Indeed, Sabrina Ionescu has proved it is so. Finishing her college career by being the all-time leader in triple-doubles, she enters her 5th season with the Liberty. In a total of 132 games, she has averaged 16.5 points to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest. But also admitting to being who she really is beyond the court. “I just want people to know me as me… Just trying to be the best role model, and the best person I can on the court, and off as well.” 

Sabrina was about three when she picked up a basketball. She hasn’t wavered since, and neither have her parents in extending their support; alongside a little pride.

The time when Dan bragged about Sabrina Ionescu to an Uber passenger

At the time when Sabrina Ionescu was about to begin her standout college career at the University of Oregon, her dad was an Uber driver in San Francisco. Once, the director of content for both the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox, Luka Dukich had a basketball conversation with him during one of his rides. “She must be good,” said Dukich when Dan told him about Sabrina. To which Dan responded, “No. She is not good. She is the best.”

Dukich made this revelation in 2021 through a tweet. Sabrina, who had established herself with the Liberty till then, responded to the post by saying, “Yep, sounds like my dad… haha.” 

Just 3 years in, Ionescu is now also an Olympic gold medalist. She has certainly cemented herself as one of the most reliable ballers for any squad. That in itself is enough for her dad can savor for the rest of his life.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.