New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu recently arrived in the Philippines for a brand event and to conduct a basketball clinic. As she immersed herself in the culture and interacted with the country’s local players, the WNBA Champion liked one thing about how professionals play ball there.
In an interview with reporters, Sabrina Ionescu talked about the 4-point line implemented by the country’s local league, which she admitted she liked.
“I think we need to bring that to the WNBA. That’s exciting,” Ionescu said to reporters. “It’s an exciting part of the game. I think it changes the game, continuing to push people to want to be better, to shoot from there so that’s really exciting. I think that’s kind of the fun part of basketball, you can continue to improve and change it.”
WATCH: Sabrina Ionescu just found out about the #PBA’s four-point line today and she already likes the idea of bringing the idea to the #WNBA. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/Mpgh1xvJf4
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 11, 2025
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) introduced the 4-point line in August 2024 as part of its efforts to innovate and make the game more exciting.
The 4-point line is placed 27 feet from the basket, extending beyond the traditional 3-point line. This new rule was first tested during the All-Star games in 2023 and 2024, where it received positive feedback from players and fans. The PBA decided to implement the 4-point line in regular games starting with the 49th season.
The NBA, in the past years, also got into the discussion of introducing a 4-point line. The concept has been discussed for several years, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioning it on multiple occasions. The idea gained more attention when it was used in the All-Star Celebrity Game, which sparked further conversations about its potential.
The 4-point line aims to reward players for making long-distance shots and could add a new strategic element to the game. However, there are concerns about how it might affect the overall dynamics of the sport, such as diminishing the value of the 3-point shot and altering defensive strategies.
Sabrina Ionescu Gets Defended In-Game By Filipino Player
During her visit to the Philippines, Sabrina Ionescu participated in an exhibition game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila. In this game, she faced tough defense from Kieffer Alas, a young player from the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers.
In one video, Alas was seen guarding Ionescu in the post, which led to a stoppage in play by the referee. Following the whistle, Ionescu was seen throwing the ball toward Alas, leaving the latter confused.
Sabrina Ionescu a dawg 😭😭😭 https://t.co/wqq1R34z8h pic.twitter.com/yPVhvZQFK1
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) March 12, 2025
The incident sparked discussion on social media, but Sabrina Ionescu has yet to openly talk about it.
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