In the world of basketball, stature is often measured vertically, but Sabrina Ionescu breaks the mold. Standing at 5-foot-11, she might not be the most towering presence on the court, but her creativity and craftiness make her a standout player.
Nike recognizes and celebrates her unique approach in a new campaign called “Sabrina’s Laws of the Game,” which coincides with the release of her signature Nike shoe, the Sabrina 1.
Ionescu, the point guard for the New York Liberty, is only the second female athlete in the past decade to receive her own Nike sneaker, following in the footsteps of Elena Delle Donne. This campaign, developed by Wieden+Kennedy Portland, aims to showcase Sabrina’s distinct style of play and inspire young players to learn from her innovative approach to the game.
The campaign’s anthem spot features Sabrina Ionescu sharing her rules for changing the game. It encourages aspiring basketball players to pay attention and glean insights from her remarkable career.
One charming reference in the campaign is the cameo appearance of 7-Eleven’s Slurpee drink. This nod to Sabrina’s childhood tells the story of how she and her twin brother hustled adults on the basketball court to win money to buy Slurpees. Watch below:
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The Sabrina 1 signature shoe, available in two colorways, the Ionic and the Spark, is set to launch on Friday. Notably, it features a vertically slanted Swoosh, symbolizing the barriers Ionescu has shattered throughout her career. The design also incorporates a dotted “i” for Ionescu, wrapping around the top and bottom of the outsole, along with intricate embroidery patterns on the forefoot and eye-stays, paying homage to traditional Romanian art and architecture.
What sets the Sabrina 1 apart is its unisex design, a groundbreaking move for a signature sneaker. Ionescu’s vision for the shoe was to make it accessible to anyone, regardless of gender, aiming to inspire everyone to achieve their goals.
“I wanted anyone anywhere to be able to put this shoe on and accomplish whatever it is that they wanted to,” said Ionescu during an interview with CBS Mornings. “There’s so many hidden designs in the shoe … I’m excited to be able to tell my story to the world.”
As the Sabrina 1 hits the market, it not only represents Sabrina Ionescu’s journey and accomplishments but also carries her message that greatness knows no boundaries.
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