Move over Stephen Curry and Larry Bird, there’s a new three-point master in town, and her name is Sabrina Ionescu.
With a stellar showing in the 2023 WNBA 3-Point Contest, Ionescu, ahead of her second All-Star appearance, took home the crown as this year’s three-point champion following a historic final round performance.
After advancing with a 26-point first round, the Liberty star scored an astonishing 37 points (out of a possible 40 points) in the final round, setting the all-time, single-round record in both the WNBA and NBA.
Ionescu’s landmark effort stunned the crowd inside the Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, as the 25-year-old put on a show to outlast fellow finalists, Storm guard Sami Whitcomb and Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale.
Ionescu quickly shook off a miss on her first shot attempt and made 25 of her next 26 shots, including a stretch of 20 straight makes. By the time she reached her final rack, the energy swelled to a fever pitch in the arena, culminating in an explosive Ionescu reaction as the crowd erupted around her.
Sabrina Ionescu MAKES HISTORY with a record 37 PTS in the final round of the 3PT contest to bring home the trophy 🏆
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 14, 2023
(via @WNBA)pic.twitter.com/K4TgGhsy0w
As the 2020 No. 1 overall pick, Ionescu entered the W facing loads of expectations, and after battling injuries, the young star appears to be coming into her own in her fourth season.
Ionescu’s performance for the ages adds to an all-around standout campaign for the versatile guard, who is averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game for New York (14–4), the East’s top team. Earlier this month, Ionescu was named along with her mentor, the late Kobe Bryant, as a cover athlete for NBA 2K24.
