Basketball was the only thing on Sabrina Ionescu's mind when I caught up with her during her first-ever Nike Asia Tour back in March. And that's no surprise to anyone who's followed her journey since her University of Oregon days. One thing about Sab? She's been dedicated to defining the game long before she joined the WNBA. Now, in her sixth season in the league and with the New York Liberty, that same fire still burns.
So when the iconic Swoosh brand invited me to follow Sabrina to the Philippines and China and interview her across the globe, it was a no-brainer—especially since it meant visiting my roots for the first time (don't get me started on what that soul-shaking, "Is this actually happening?" homecoming was like). Halfway across the world, I witnessed with my own eyes the magnetic pull she has on people abroad. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life, and it wasn't even about me. Watching Sabrina connect with kids, fans, and communities felt bigger than basketball—it was about grit, hope, and being seen and heard in places that often feel invisible. From high-energy clinics and camps to a roaring stadium appearance in Manila and heartfelt moments with supporters in Guangzhou, her reach is undeniable.
As a Filipino-American woman who also came from a first-generation family like the point guard, there's no other way to put it: it hit different. The number of times I teared up when she interacted with people who look like me, who see themselves in her hustle and her confidence, like I do? Too many to count. The whole week was emotional. Because as much as representation matters, presence—and showing up in real life—is everything. And Sabrina? She always gives her everything, on the hardwood and off.
But I didn't fly halfway around the world to ask the same questions she gets asked over and over again. |
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