NY Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu (pronounced yo-NESS-coo) published a personal essay on Wednesday about her experience releasing the Sabrina 1s, her first Nike shoe and only the 12th signature shoe in WNBA history! Ionescu’s story encapsulates several pivotal trends within basketball, as well as a strategic shift in marketing women athletes.

Aside from their distinct design elements, the Sabrina 1s were set apart by their extensive roll out at Nike’s NYC Soho store. On the court, they allow for quick cuts, hence their rising status as a hardwood staple, with NBA, NFL and MLB players also rocking the shoe.

It isnt just NBA players like Jrue Holiday and Mikal Bridges that are  driving the 1s’ game — they’re being fashion-forward by introducing new colourways, cementing the kicks’ place in sneaker culture and brand strategy.

Ionescu said that the environment Nike created for the 1s was something she’d never seen before, and that’s because Ionescu’s collection is redefining what it means to be a signature athlete. She’s the first Nike women's basketball athlete to debut a unisex signature collection, which relied on input from athletes of all genders.

The success of the Sabrina 1s extends beyond the court, demonstrating Nike's prowess in creating and marketing a basketball shoe for all. In her piece, Ionescu shares stories of both men and women, boys and girls, excited to buy her signature shoe.Nike and Ionescu have revolutionized the game at various levels, with universities now acquiring customized 1s for all their players.

This groundbreaking collection aligns with the changing landscape of basketball fandom and viewership, particularly among Gen Z, who are breaking down gendered barriers. The Sabrina 1s are not only making waves in the sneaker scene but also paving the way for other WNBA athletes, as Ionescu hints at the possibility of more signature shoes for women players.

The anticipation for what's next is palpable.