“You Go to the Worst Team”: NY Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu Unfolds the Biggest Struggles of a No.1 Pick Four Years After Disheartening Rookie Season

For her, basketball was something she held close to her heart (and in her hands) since she was three. Despite facing major setbacks, she never let it go. Even when told she “should be playing with dolls,” she didn’t respond with words. Instead, she made a statement on the court. After years of determination and overcoming adversity, Sabrina Ionescu finally made it to the WNBA draft. While that must’ve felt like her moment to shine, unfavorable luck struck once again.

Coming out of their 2019 season, the New York Liberty had the second-lowest record in franchise history: 10-24. But they had the first pick for the 2020 draft, an opportunity to better the talent on the roster. Ionescu, the 2020 Naismith College Player of the Year, was an obvious choice. While being the No.1 pick did prove her status, what came with that feat wasn’t exactly ideal for the 5’11 guard.

“When you’re the number one pick, you go to the worst team. You move away from your family; you have to figure out how to lose — you have less grace,” she told Vanity Fair in an interview. Ionescu, as a Walnut Creek, California native, was now to transit miles away from her home, only to be met with something a rookie with tons of expectations on her back would dread.

After playing 2 WNBA games, Sabrina was in her best form as she recorded 33 points in just 34 minutes against the Dallas Wings. But during her third game on August 1, 2020, Ionescu endured a left ankle injury in the second quarter while playing against the Atlanta Dream. She felt stuck for a moment and was benched for the entire game. The following day, she was diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain that should’ve healed in a month, but the injury cost Ionescu her rookie season.

Despite fully recovering, she did not play again. “No one says, ‘Oh, she’s a rookie, give her time.’ No one cares. You’re 21, and you’re playing against 37-, 38-year-old women who’ve played in this league for 19, 20 years,” Ionescu said, addressing the challenges. “I’m playing against adults, and I’m a child. I had to grow into my own and just figure it out,” the 26-year-old added, mentioning how she went up against Sue Bird, who entered the league the year Ionescu was born.

Numerous No.1 draft picks and rookies share this sentiment. Caitlin Clark had a similar situation this year, where she got drafted by the Indiana Fever, who had the third-worst record last season (13-27), finishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. This is to say that no matter how good your college career may have been, you’re bound to get a reality check after jumping to the big leagues. Speaking of Sue Bird and young players like Ionescu and Clark, the legend had some advice for them.

In an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Bird reminisced about her first game in the WNBA. Coming off of a remarkable 114-4 record with the UConn Huskies, Bird joined the Seattle Storm. And on her debut, they lost 61-78 to the Liberty. She revealed, “I remember the first game we lost – the first game of the season. I’m in the locker room, having a little bit of a fit. I’m not used to this. And everyone in the locker room is like, ‘Where do you wanna go to dinner tonight?’ It took me a second to realize that that was also a part of pro sports.”

That said, when it comes to the expectations hoarded upon them in the fast-paced environment of the WNBA, many, including Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Jewel Loyd, corroborated the same. Further explaining how she felt in 2020, Ionescu added, “You’re not really surprising anybody with what you’re able to do.” But, surprise, she did the following year.

Sabrina Ionescu as a WNBA history-maker

In her second WNBA season, Ionescu wanted the year to be considered her rookie season, having played just 3 games in 2020. But that wasn’t granted. Regardless, she ensured to excel. On May 18, 2021, she scored her first triple-double triumph in her 6th WNBA matchup. She became the fastest player to accomplish this feat, recording an impressive 26 points with 12 assists and 10 rebounds. But she did not stop there.

The following year, on July 6, she scored 31 points, 10 assists, and 13 rebounds to secure the first 30-point triple-double in the league’s history. Since then, Ionescu has been known for making WNBA history. Last year, during a three-point contest, she converted 25 of 27 attempts. Again, she etched her name in the record books, considering it was the highest in WNBA history.

Moreover, she even surpassed Stephen Curry’s record of 31 points in a 3-point contest. However, it’s not a unified record due to the difference in shooting distance and ball sizes. Even during this 2024 season, Sabrina Ionescu was offered to participate in the same contest. However, she declined to focus on Team USA. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent our country at the Olympics,” she said. Now, she’s on a quest for an eighth consecutive gold for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Will she make history this year, too? Stay tuned to this space to find out!

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection Silas Demary Jr.