Very few athletes ever get close to the space Kobe Bryant thrived in. Be it the basketball world or the off-court sneaker business side of the story. But Sabrina Ionescu has spent the past few seasons quietly building her brand, and today, what started as a unisex performance footwear release has become the talk of the town.

According to Kix Stats, Ionescu’s signature line has crossed a threshold that only Bryant ever reached in Nike’s domination of an NBA report. Two of her sneakers, ‘Sabrina 3’ and ‘Sabrina 2’, rank 6th (3,395 minutes) and 10th (2,657 minutes), respectively, among the Top-10 most-worn shoes in November. But that’s not all.

This makes her the only athlete with multiple models dominating the high-end of the league usage charts, except for the Black Mamba, who has three sneakers ranking in the top 3. Nike claims nine spots on this list, with the Adidas Harden Vol. 9 being the only outlier.

Basketball’s footwear culture has always been a battleground for legacy names, dominated mainly by Bryant, Michael Jordan, and a handful of modern-day stars. And Ionescu entering that tier isn’t just any other everyday win.

The Sabrina 3 leans on a lightweight upper and a cable-supported lockdown system that keeps the player secure without restricting movement. Its responsiveness makes it ideal for guards who rely on quick footwork, while the extra-durable outsole adds reliable traction on both indoor and outdoor courts.

On the other hand, the Sabrina 2 delivers balance and endurance. Powered by Nike’s Cushlon foam and Air Zoom cushioning, the shoe is built for players who log long hours and need consistent comfort. Sticky traction supports step-backs and separation moves, while the outdoor-ready outsole adds durability. The Sabrina 2 is a dependable, all-purpose performer born from Ionescu’s ‘live in the gym’ mentality.

“Not a women’s basketball shoe or a men’s basketball shoe, but just basketball,” Ionescu said back in April when describing the Sabrina 1s. “Being able to tell that story and have people authentically buy in and respect that, I think the time is now in terms of wanting that to be pushed.”

The basketball world can’t have enough of these showcases, as even a top-tier player, who was once Ionescu’s rival in a three-point shooting contest, is sporting her shoes and putting them to the test in real-game situations…

Stephen Curry laces up the Sabrina 3, breaking a 12-year streak

In a recent game between the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz, where Sabrina Ionescu was also present courtside, Curry broke from his usual footwear routine and wore the Sabrina 3, marking the first time the Dubs star has played in Nike shoes since 2013.

This was right after his deal with Under Armour ended prematurely.

Curry had arrived at Chase Center in a retro Air Jordan 12 Flu Game and warmed up in the Jordan 14 Last Shot, both iconic styles reminiscent of MJ’s history against the Jazz. And by tip-off, he was wearing Ionescu’s signature sneaker line.

In a post-game interview, the Warriors legend confirmed that the choice to wear those shoes was intentional.

“It’s kind of cool to understand the history of the game and the themes around certain teams we’re playing,” Curry said. “I brought out the Flu Games and the Final Shorts and then played in the Sabrina 3. Everybody should be on alert. I’m calling everybody, trying to get some good product. It’s just fun to honor certain eras (and) moments in the game, current athletes who are doing great things. Just having fun with it.”

He led the Warriors to a 134-117 win, with 31 points in 29 minutes on 12-of-24 shooting from the field. It marked his 30th career game scoring 30 or more points in under 30 minutes, the most in NBA history.

If we go further back, it was Jrue Holiday, who was the first NBA player to wear her signature shoe, the Sabrina 1. And he boasted a career-best 43.5% mark from 3-point range. He went on to wear Sabrina 1 in 53 games and credited his performance to them.

“Maybe that’s part of the reason why I’m shooting so well,” Holiday said.

With more and more players trying out Sabrina Ionescu’s sneaker line, it’s becoming a benchmark for what players demand from a performance sneaker today.