WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu takes a selfie after conducting a basketball clinic at courtyard in Taguig as part of her Manila Tour.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Determined to help women’s basketball reach greater heights globally, Sabrina Ionescu preached patience and hard work to developing countries like the Philippines.
The WNBA champion shared her insights on how to grow women’s basketball in the country during a panel talk to kick off her three-day visit in Manila on Monday at Nike Fort.
“It’s about not being satisfied and continuing to [improve] day by day—just one percent every single day. It’s not going to happen overnight; it won’t be an instant shift. But it’s about continuing to believe in the product and in what these young women are doing in this area,” said Ionescu.
READ: Sabrina Ionescu makes impact–not just 3s–in Manila return
WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu talks about the growth of women’s basketball. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/1ewERgcoy9
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2025
The New York Liberty guard, one of the several WNBA players behind the league’s record-breaking crowd attendance and ratings in the previous season, believes that women’s basketball’s rise is all about trusting the process and making the most of the opportunity.
“At the same time, we, back in the States, firmly believe that every location deserves the opportunity to grow, receive investment, and support young girls in achieving whatever they aspire to—whether it’s playing in the WNBA, competing overseas, or simply becoming the best athletes they can be,” she said.
“I think it’s about understanding that progress will come. And when it does, everyone needs to be ready for that moment because it’s going to be a big one—one that could change the world.”
Women’s basketball is on the rise in the country. Gilas Pilipinas has been competing in Fiba Asia Cup Women’s Division A since 2017 and promoted to the top tier in all divisions since June 2024.
The program also won its first two Southeast Asian Games gold medals in 2019 and 2021 and recently returned to the Asian Games two years ago.
READ: Sabrina Ionescu set for Manila visit
Sabrina Ionescu’s advice for PH women’s basketball @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Zq1pKIPRRw
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2025
The budding rivalry between NU and UST in UAAP women’s basketball has also contributed to women’s basketball’s popularity in the country. NU and UST’s championship clash last December even set a record in crowd attendance.
The Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) was also founded last year to provide another path for female ballers in the country.
Ionescu, a member of USA’s gold-medal winning team in the Paris Olympics, is fully aware that she has a huge role in growing the sport. That’s why she’s always making sure to be at her best to inspire others.
“It’s about being the best basketball player, perfecting your craft, and never taking anything for granted because the ball is going to stop bouncing one day. My passion—what I enjoy doing—is also about understanding that there’s so much more to you than just being a basketball player,” Ionescu said.
“It’s about learning as you grow in your career. You might want to go down one path, but as you get older, you might discover a new passion in something else. I think it’s about being open-minded to whatever you enjoy at that time while staying true to yourself and your values, never diverting from that path.”
READ: Sabrina Ionescu 3-pointer is latest iconic shot in WNBA Finals history
Sabrina Ionescu on embracing her influence in women’s basketball. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PKzrZ8HK8d
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 10, 2025
The 27-year-old Ionescu added it’s also important to surround herself with a strong support group as she credited her coach for turning her into a player who is always hungry for more.
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“Coaches are huge for that. I’ve had the same coach when I was young all the way through high school and he was the one who really instilled kind of that underdog mentality. I’ve always wanted to be better and never settle,” said Ionescu. “From a really young age, I feel like I had that especially being a woman in sport, you have to prove your worth and go prove what you’re able to do on the court. I continue to do that now through my professional career as well.”
That’s why Ionescu also established the SI20 Foundation in 2023, giving kids in the US access to sports.
“It’s a lot bigger than yourself in playing the sport and it’s about giving back to the next generation and being able to see smiles on kids’ faces and so many communities that meant a lot to me through basketball and many different avenues,” said the 5-foot-11 guard.
“You can change and affect someone’s lives whether they wanna become a basketball player, they wanna become something else, I think being able to instill the power and confidence in themselves that they can go out and accomplish whatever they wanna do as long as they believe in themselves and put a lot of hard work.”
