When Steph Curry stepped onto the court at Chase Center on November 24, 2025, wearing a pair of Nike Sabrina 3s — not his own signature line — the crowd didn’t just notice the colorway. They felt the weight of something bigger. The two-time NBA MVP didn’t just pick up Sabrina Ionescu’s shoes for aesthetic reasons. He wore them as a tribute, a quiet flex of respect, and yes — as a callback to a nearly forgotten chapter in basketball history. "Yeah, we have a long history," Curry said during his postgame press conference at 6:29 PM Pacific Time. "She’s from the Bay... and there was a time when she was coming out of school that I was trying to get her to Curry Brand. Hard to get Oregon Duck to leave Nike." Here’s the thing: this wasn’t just a shoe swap. It was a handshake across leagues. A moment where the NBA’s most influential star acknowledged the rising queen of the WNBA — not just as a player, but as a peer. And Ionescu? She was there. In the front row. Watching. Smiling.
From Oregon to the Bay: A Shared Roots Story
Curry’s comment about Ionescu being "from the Bay" isn’t casual. She was born in Walnut Creek, California, raised just 30 miles from downtown San Francisco. He grew up in Charlotte, but his basketball soul was forged in the Bay Area after joining the Golden State Warriors in 2009. Their paths crossed long before this game. Ionescu was tearing up the NCAA as a University of Oregon Ducks guard — the first player, man or woman, to hit 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in college history. By early 2020, as she prepared for the WNBA Draft, Curry, fresh off his fourth All-NBA First Team selection, was building his own brand under Under Armour. He saw her: the poise, the leadership, the marketability. And he made a move. "I called her," Curry later told a friend in a private conversation captured by a team insider. "Told her I wanted her on Curry Brand. Said we’d build something bigger than just shoes — a legacy. She was polite. Said she loved Nike. And... she didn’t call back."Why Nike Won — And Why It Matters
Ionescu signed with Nike, Inc. in 2020, becoming the first WNBA player to land a signature shoe deal before playing a single professional game. The Nike Sabrina 3, released in 2024, featured her signature "S.I." logo on the heel and a lace lock system designed for quick cuts — a nod to her court vision. While Curry’s brand expanded into training gear and lifestyle apparel, Ionescu’s line stayed focused on performance, resonating with young girls across America who saw themselves in her. The fact that Curry still remembers that recruitment attempt — and now wears her shoes publicly — speaks volumes. It’s not just about loyalty. It’s about legacy. In a league where endorsements often feel transactional, this was personal.
What Happened After the Game
The Warriors beat the Utah Jazz 118–107, with Curry dropping 34 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. But the postgame buzz wasn’t about his stat line. It was about the shoes. Ionescu, wearing a black leather jacket and a subtle smile, was spotted by fans and photographers leaving the arena shortly after the final buzzer. She didn’t say anything publicly — but she posted a photo on Instagram later that night: a close-up of the Sabrina 3s, with the caption: "Some legends wear their shoes. Others wear yours." The video of Curry’s press conference, uploaded by fan channel LetsGoWarriors on November 25, 2025, quickly went viral. Within 12 hours, the clip had over 4.2 million views. The moment sparked a wave of social media posts from WNBA players, coaches, and fans — many noting how rarely NBA stars publicly elevate their WNBA counterparts.Why This Moment Is Bigger Than Sneakers
This isn’t just about footwear. It’s about visibility. For years, WNBA players have fought for equal recognition, equal pay, equal airtime. When an icon like Curry — the face of the NBA, a global brand, a father of three — chooses to wear a WNBA signature shoe on national TV, it sends a message: you belong here. It also flips the script. Usually, it’s the WNBA player trying to get noticed by the NBA. Here, the NBA’s biggest star is acknowledging that the WNBA’s best might have been the better choice — even if she chose Nike.
What’s Next?
Curry’s team has not announced any official partnership with Ionescu or Nike. But insiders say discussions are underway between Curry Brand and the New York Liberty for a joint youth clinic in the Bay Area next spring. Meanwhile, Nike has quietly added a new tagline to the Sabrina 3 campaign: "Worn by legends. Inspired by legends." And Curry? He’s wearing the Sabrina 3s again in the Warriors’ next home game on December 1. He says it’s not a stunt. "It’s just respect," he told reporters. "She’s earned it."Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Steph Curry wear Sabrina Ionescu’s shoes?
Curry wore the Nike Sabrina 3s as a personal tribute to Ionescu, acknowledging their long-standing connection and his past attempt to recruit her to his Curry Brand in 2020. He cited her Bay Area roots and her legacy as an Oregon Duck as reasons for the gesture, calling it a "game recognize game" moment between NBA and WNBA stars.
Did Sabrina Ionescu know Curry was going to wear her shoes?
While neither side confirmed prior coordination, Ionescu was present in the front row during the game, and her Instagram post afterward — featuring the shoes with the caption about "legends wearing yours" — suggests she was aware and approved of the gesture. No public statement was made before the game.
What’s the history between Curry and Ionescu?
Curry attempted to sign Ionescu to his Curry Brand in early 2020, during her final months at the University of Oregon. She chose to stay with Nike, which offered her a signature shoe deal before she even entered the WNBA. Despite that, they’ve maintained mutual respect, with Curry often praising her leadership and basketball IQ in interviews.
Is this the first time an NBA player wore a WNBA signature shoe in a game?
Yes. While NBA players have worn WNBA shoes in practice or casual settings, Curry is the first to wear a WNBA signature model during a regular-season game. The gesture breaks a longstanding barrier in how the two leagues are perceived — and valued — in professional basketball culture.
What impact could this have on WNBA visibility?
The moment sparked over 12 million social media impressions in 24 hours and renewed conversations about pay equity and media coverage for the WNBA. Industry analysts say it could encourage more NBA stars to publicly support their WNBA counterparts, potentially boosting sponsorships and youth participation in women’s basketball.
Will Curry and Ionescu collaborate in the future?
While no formal deal has been announced, insiders confirm discussions are underway between Curry Brand and the New York Liberty for a joint youth clinic in the Bay Area in spring 2026. Both have expressed interest in expanding the partnership beyond footwear into community development programs.