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Sabrina Ionescu is expected to debut in the inaugural season of Unrivaled in Miami as the Phantom BC faces the Laces BC on Saturday. The matchup is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m. EST at MediaPro Center in Miami and will be televised nationally on truTV.
While she is cleared to play, Ionescu admitted that she isn’t 100% after undergoing surgery in December to repair a torn UCL in her right thumb, which she sustained during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals in October. Following Unrivaled practice on Thursday, the reigning WNBA champion was seen wearing a black splint on her right thumb as she updated her status:
“[My recovery] has been a little sped up,” Ionescu said. “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 is coming off one of the best seasons of her career, averaging 18.2 points, 6.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals for the New York Liberty. She also recorded 16.9 points, 5.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in the postseason to help New York clinch their first WNBA championship.
Sabrina Ionescu was the last player to join Unrivaled
Sabrina Ionescu claimed the final 36th spot on Unrivaled’s roster spot as the 3×3 league features six teams of six players each. The star guard cited her surgery as one of the reasons why she didn’t commit sooner. She also wanted to ensure Unrivaled could accommodate her schedule and other commitments.
“I’m not going to be here the full time,” Ionescu said. “They (Unrivaled) have 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.”
As reported by ESPN, Sabrina Ionescu’s contract with Unrivaled exceeds those of other players. As one of the most popular players in the WNBA, her addition to the 3×3 league immediately raises its profile for its inaugural season.
Ionescu will represent Phantom BC alongside Natasha Cloud, Brittney Griner, Marina Mabrey, Satou Sabally (Ionescu’s former Oregon teammate) and Katie Lou Samuelson. The team will be coached by former NBA player Adam Harrington.
Edited by Nadim El Kak
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