After missing out on the 3-point contest last year, Sabrina Ionescu showed that she is still the 3-point queen. Ionescu had her second career title with a final-round score of 30, tying former Chicago Sky guard Allie Quigley for the second-best single-round record in the event’s history. Who is the first? Ionescu herself, with 37 points to win the 2023 edition, still stands as the event’s all-time mark.

After lighting up headlines at the 2025 All-Star Weekend, Sabrina Ionescu brought her signature swagger to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Flanked by Hollywood heavyweight Adam Sandler, Ionescu delighted viewers as she and Fallon riffed through her top pregame songs, favorite snacks, and, naturally, her picks for basketball’s greatest of all time. But just as Fallon and the audience expected the usual pantheon of legends, Ionescu dunked a comedic curveball.

Ionescu said, “So, I’m going myself. I’m going, Stephen Curry. Steph! I’m going, Kobe Bryant. Breanna Stewart because she’s my teammate and the GOAT.”

Sabrina Ionescu’s all-time starting five shows her fierce self-confidence. Whether or not she truly ranks among the greatest, she plays like she belongs there. Steph Curry is an obvious pick. His shooting style has clearly inspired Ionescu and stars like Caitlin Clark. Kobe Bryant, a fan favorite, signifies greatness and killer mentality, while Breanna Stewart earns her spot as Ionescu’s teammate and trusted “GOAT.” However, one spot still remained, and Ionescu had jokes left in her. 

She said with a smile, “And then, I’m going Adam Sandler.”

When Fallon cracked up, so did the audience, his “Oh, perfect!” said it all. Adam Sandler is not only a Hollywood heavyweight. He’s the people’s baller, slipping onto neighborhood courts whenever he’s off set. Sure, he could run with NBA royalty (and sometimes does), but Sandler’s real love is mixing it up with everyday hoopers, showing up with no entourage, just game.

Basketball is not a hobby for Sandler. His filmography bakes it in, culminating in Hustle, a movie built entirely around his love for the sport. But don’t mistake his passion for a punchline. Legendary center Shaquille O’Neal has vouched for the Sandman’s skills, declaring, “Adam is a damn good player”. Turns out, when it comes to basketball, Sandler gets buckets and respect, on and off the big screen. 

He has repeatedly expressed his deep ties to the sport and how he was “addicted” to it right from the word go. His close ties with basketball also made him the perfect candidate to test out Sabrina’s new shoes, the Nike Sabrina 3. Ionescu gifted a pair to the full-time hooper Sandler before the show, and he immediately put them on for his interview with Fallon.

Adam Sandler’s excitement was clear as soon as he touched Sabrina Ionescu’s signature sneakers, exclaiming, “Oh, these are light. Nice!” He didn’t just admire them backstage. Sandler proudly showed off his new kicks during his guest appearance on The Tonight Show, wearing them throughout the segment and putting a spotlight on Ionescu’s Sabrina 3 shoes with genuine enthusiasm.

Sabrina’s New Kicks Set To Be The “New Go-To Sneaker”

Nike is releasing the third edition of Sabrina Ionescu’s signature shoe for the third consecutive year. After her $24 million deal in 2020, her first shoe came out in 2023, the Sabrina 1. Nike launched its first unisex performance basketball signature shoe in partnership with the female player, the Sabrina 1. After releasing Sabrina 2 last year, the brand is now gearing up to drop the third edition.

The Sabrina 3 was unveiled on the Jimmy Fallon Show, with a “Blueprint” colorway. Ionescu also shared with Fallon that she wore Kobe Bryant’s and Kevin Durant’s basketball shoes growing up, and had an opportunity on the show to plug her new signature shoe. It was life coming full circle as her signature line takes the shelves. 

“To be able to understand what the vision was on Sabrina 1, which was to create the first unisex basketball shoe, and to see how it’s just taken the world by storm,” Ionescu said. “It creates the opportunity for young girls and boys growing up now to hope and dream of wanting to become a signature athlete because they see us all do it on the court and support one another.”

The design has drawn inspiration from the intricate art of textile weaving and embroidery that honors Sabrina’s Romanian heritage. Her new signature silhouette is a masterpiece, blending artistic flair with the same reliable, game-ready performance that her fans have come to expect.

The Nike Sabrina 3, along with the apparel collection, will be on sale on July 24 at Nike.com and select retail locations. The prices currently for Adult sizes are set at $135, while the kids’ sizes are at $100. According to the brand, the Nike Sabrina 3 is the “new go-to sneaker” for hoopers around the world who are constantly sharpening their skills to master every facet of the game.

It has been a very important week for Sabrina, from winning the 3-point contest to her appearance on the Jimmy Fallon Show and her own shoe. An endorsement from Adam Sandler will certainly help the sale of Sabrina 3. On the court, she will be back for the New York Liberty when they take on the Indiana Fever. She will look to revitalize the team and use her form to guide the Liberty to a back-to-back WNBA title.