We all know Sabrina Ionescu as a three-time WNBA All-Star who’s constantly breaking records and delivering MVP-level performances. Take, for example, her historic game against the Las Vegas Aces, where she notched the first 30-point triple-double in WNBA history with 31 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Moments like these have become almost routine for her, showcasing just how dominant she is on the court.

But Sabrina’s life isn’t defined solely by basketball. While she began her journey with a ball in hand at just three years old, she’s always had another constant companion: books. “My hobbies outside of basketball are… reading. And then, of course, working out and playing more basketball,” she shared in an interview with goducks.com. Even amid the demands of a busy WNBA season, Sabrina still makes time to dive into a good book, finding as much peace in the quiet pages as she does in the roar of the crowd. This love of reading is just one of those lesser-known sides of Sabrina that makes her truly unique.

Where is Sabrina Ionescu from? What’s her nationality?

Ionescu’s journey started long before she stepped on the court. Born to Dan and Liliana Blaj, Ionescu was the elder twin, born 18 minutes before Edward. So, her training began at home. “I have two brothers—an older brother, Andrei, and a twin brother, Eddy. They both played basketball, so we competed a lot growing up,” she shared.

That’s how she picked up basketball when she was just three years old. Since then, there have been strong ties to basketball. From Ionescu to Eddy and their older brother Andrei, all three siblings have found their paths in the sport. While Ionescu ended up in the WNBA, Eddy played for the Ducks’ men’s basketball team. But the journey, of course, wasn’t as easy as it may seem. Growing up, Ionescu faced many setbacks, one being that her middle school didn’t have enough players to field a girls’ team, and the school refused to let her play on the boys’ team.

“My middle school said I should be playing with dolls. Seriously, word for word,” she shared. But Ionescu didn’t lose hope; she responded by recruiting enough girls to form a team. From there, there was no stopping her. She went on to become a four-year varsity basketball letter winner at Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, under head coach Kelly Sopak. While her basketball journey seemed smooth from there, there was one thing that helped her throughout it all!

What is Sabrina Ionescu’s ethnicity and religion?

Sabrina Ionescu’s story is deeply rooted not just in basketball, but in her faith and family heritage. Born to Romanian immigrant parents, her journey began with her father, Dan Ionescu, who came to the United States following the 1989 revolution in Romania. Her mother, Liliana Blaj, joined him later, and together they built a life that blended their Romanian roots with American opportunities. Growing up as a Romanian-American and practicing Romanian Orthodox Christianity, Sabrina found strength and comfort in her faith throughout her life.

She’s been open about how important her relationship with God has been, especially during the pressures of her playing career. “My hobbies outside of basketball are going to church — I love Jesus,” she once shared. That deep love for God, combined with a supportive family and brothers who shared her interests and values, created the perfect foundation for her to thrive. It wasn’t just talent or hard work alone that propelled Sabrina forward, it was the steady anchor of faith and family that helped her navigate every challenge, fueling her rise to the very top of the basketball world.

Which college did Sabrina Ionescu attend? 

Up next was her college basketball journey. For her, it all blossomed at the University of Oregon, where she played from 2016 to 2020. It was here that she grew from a promising young player into one of the most celebrated athletes in NCAA history. Throughout her time with the Ducks, Sabrina didn’t just break records—she shattered long-standing barriers and set new standards for what a college basketball player could achieve.

One of the things that made Sabrina stand out was her ability to do it all on the court. She set the NCAA record for career triple-doubles with an astonishing 26, beating every player in both men’s and women’s college basketball. What’s more, she didn’t just set the single-season triple-double record once; she did it twice, with eight triple-doubles in back-to-back seasons.

But her impact wasn’t just about flashy stats. Sabrina became the first NCAA Division I player, ever man or woman, to score over 2,000 points, grab more than 1,000 rebounds, and dish out over 1,000 assists in her college career. It was an unprecedented milestone that speaks volumes about her versatility and dominance on the court.

So, her hard work and unique talent didn’t go unnoticed. She was named Pac-12 Player of the Year three years in a row, from 2018 through 2020. But for Ionescu, her college had become more important now. So, despite being eligible for the 2019 WNBA draft, Sabrina made the thoughtful decision to stay at Oregon for her final season, sharing her choice in an open letter that showed her commitment not just to the game but to her growth as a person and player.

When she finally declared for the draft in 2020, the New York Liberty picked her first overall, starting the next exciting chapter of her basketball journey. But it all began at Oregon, where Sabrina Ionescu’s college career became a story of passion, perseverance, and record-breaking greatness.