New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu has been cleared to participate in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, despite still recovering from offseason thumb surgery. The 25-year-old underwent a procedure last month to repair a torn UCL in her right thumb, which she suffered during the WNBA Finals.
While Ionescu admits she isn’t back to 100% yet, doctors have given her the green light to compete in Unrivaled with some accommodations for her ongoing rehab. The compressed timeline forced Ionescu to accelerate her recovery in order to be ready for the upstart league’s tip-off on January 15th.
“[My recovery] has been a little sped up. If I didn’t have this going on, I probably could have taken a little bit more time just rehabbing, letting it heal. But I’m fully cleared by the doctors to be able to play and continue to do my rehab while I’m out here and get live reps.”
– Sabrina Ionescu
Ionescu, who was sporting a protective wrap on her right thumb during Unrivaled practices this week, acknowledged feeling “a little rusty” as she reacclimates to live action. However, her Phantom BC teammate Natasha Cloud quickly chimed in to say Ionescu was just “capping” or downplaying her current abilities.
The 2020 No. 1 overall WNBA draft pick was the final marquee player to commit to Unrivaled, in part due to the uncertainty around her injury status. She also needed assurances that the league would accommodate her busy schedule and prior commitments before signing on.
“I’m not going to be here the full time. They’ve been very accommodating knowing that I have obligations I have to be at, being able to work through that with them and knowing I want to be here, fully committed to my teammates and this team.”
– Sabrina Ionescu
One of those obligations will take Ionescu away from Unrivaled during NBA All-Star Weekend from February 13-16 in her hometown of San Francisco. While confirming she’ll take part in All-Star festivities, the Liberty guard declined to specify exactly what events or activities she’ll be involved with.
Ionescu’s return to the court, even if not yet at full strength, provides a huge boost for Unrivaled as it looks to make a splashy debut. Her star power and incredible career trajectory, going from NCAA triple-double queen to WNBA phenom, makes her one of the faces of the new league.
Ionescu’s Unrivaled Commitment Marks Latest Chapter in Busy Offseason
Competing in Unrivaled is just the latest development in what’s shaping up to be a whirlwind offseason for Ionescu. In addition to rehabbing from her thumb injury, the multi-talented point guard has balanced business interests, brand partnerships, and personal obligations.
Her Nike signature shoe line continues to expand, with new colorways and styles set to drop throughout 2025. Ionescu also remains involved with her alma mater, the University of Oregon, where “Sabrina Center” is slated to open next fall as a state-of-the-art training facility for the women’s basketball program.
Despite her hectic schedule, Ionescu says she felt compelled to join Unrivaled both for the opportunity to expand her game and to support the growth of women’s hoops. The league’s unique 3-on-3 format and strong collection of WNBA talent were major selling points.
“For me, it was a no-brainer. Being able to compete and do what I love in a bit of a different format, being able to play 3-on-3, play in a different type of environment with a lot of great players in the WNBA. I didn’t want to miss out.”
– Sabrina Ionescu
Ionescu’s Liberty teammates, including newly re-signed rising stars Betnijah Laney and Brionna Jones, will be cheering her on from afar this winter as she splits time between Unrivaled and her other obligations.
While the compact Unrivaled season shouldn’t impact Ionescu’s availability for the WNBA’s 2025 campaign, Liberty head coach Emily Engstler acknowledges this experience could pay dividends on the court this summer.
“Playing 3-on-3 is only going to help Sabrina expand her game. We’re fully supportive of her taking advantage of this opportunity with Unrivaled and know she’ll come into the WNBA season sharper than ever.”
– Emily Engstler
As for her current physical status, Ionescu remains focused on taking things day-by-day as she continues to progress in her thumb rehabilitation while ramping up basketball activities. So far, all signs point to her being ready to lead Phantom BC as Unrivaled’s inaugural season gets underway.
The Sabrina Effect: Ionescu’s Impact on Unrivaled and Women’s Hoops
There’s no denying Ionescu’s participation in Unrivaled is a game-changer for the upstart league. As one of the brightest young stars in the WNBA, her presence brings instant credibility and buzz to the new venture.
For Unrivaled CEO Lucas Charles, landing a player of Ionescu’s caliber is a dream scenario as he looks to establish the league as a premier destination for elite women’s talent.
“Having Sabrina involved with Unrivaled is massive for us. Her skill, creativity and competitive drive embody everything we want this league to represent. She’s a cultural icon who transcends the game and will undoubtedly help us connect with a wider audience.”
– Lucas Charles, Unrivaled CEO
The impact of Ionescu’s decision to join Unrivaled extends far beyond just boosting the league’s star power. It also serves as a powerful endorsement of the 3-on-3 format and its potential to provide WNBA players with an exciting new platform to showcase their talents.
Many view Unrivaled as a groundbreaking opportunity to grow the women’s game globally, with the Olympic success of 3-on-3 basketball demonstrating the format’s universal appeal. By attracting top WNBA players like Ionescu, the league aims to capitalize on that momentum and carve out a new lane in the increasingly crowded basketball landscape.
Ionescu’s involvement is also expected to have a ripple effect when it comes to inspiring the next generation of female hoopers. Known for her unparalleled work ethic and dedication to her craft, she’s become a role model for countless young girls with dreams of playing professional basketball.
“I think it’s so important for young girls to see women’s basketball continue to grow and evolve. Leagues like Unrivaled show that there are more and more opportunities out there to pursue your passion. If I can play a small part in inspiring someone to pick up a ball and chase their dreams, that’s what it’s all about.”
– Sabrina Ionescu
As Unrivaled prepares to tip-off its inaugural season, all eyes will be on Ionescu as she looks to light up the 3-on-3 circuit while continuing to expand her already impressive basketball resume. Even if she’s not quite back to 100%, the Liberty star’s mere presence on the court figures to be a major drawing card.
Will a healthy Ionescu prove to be an unstoppable force in the half-court game? Can she emerge as the face of Unrivaled and take the league to unexpected heights in year one? These are the intriguing storylines ahead as one of the sport’s most captivating talents embarks on her latest challenge, with fans and the larger basketball world eager to follow every step of her journey.
