When Sabrina Ionescu stepped up to the 3-point line Friday night, she wasn’t just defending her crown. The New York Liberty star was also keeping a promise to a nervous rookie sitting on the bench behind her. What happened next showed why the WNBA’s sisterhood runs so much deeper than competition.
How Did Sabrina Ionescu Reclaim Her 3-Point Contest Title?
Ionescu made her mark during the WNBA All-Star 3-point contest in Indianapolis, securing her second title after her record-breaking 2023 performance, where she scored 37 points and made 25 of 27 shots. This year, she claimed victory with 30 points.
The path to her crown wasn’t easy. Going into the final round, defending champion Allisha Gray matched Ionescu’s opening score of 25 points. But when the pressure mounted, Ionescu delivered in clutch fashion, outscoring Gray 30-22 in the final round to reclaim her title.
Meanwhile, Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron faced her own challenge in the contest. Despite finishing last with 19 points, the first-time All-Star’s participation in the event would prove more rewarding than anyone expected.
What Promise Did Ionescu Make to Citron?
The real story unfolded away from the cameras during the contest. Ionescu had made a pledge to Citron that would turn the rookie’s disappointing finish into an unexpected windfall.
“I told Sonia that I would give her half if I won when we were sitting on the bench, as being the only rookie, and you know, she was nervous and I was nervous for her. So I obviously have to hold up to my end of the bargain,” Ionescu explained.
The Liberty star’s respect for Citron’s courage was evident in her words. “It takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie. And what she did, I was proud of her,” Ionescu continued. Despite ranking only in the top 25 in 3-point shooting, Citron didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation to compete against established stars like Ionescu.
Following Ionescu’s victory, Citron will receive $31,287.50 from the $60,000 prize money sponsored by Aflac. For context, the rookie’s base salary for her first season is $78,831, meaning she nearly doubled for participating last night.
The moment resonated beyond just the financial gesture. After the contest, both players shared a candid moment on the sidelines that captured the WNBA’s supportive culture. The Washington Mystics shared a photo of Citron and Ionescu together, showing the first-time All-Star sharing a moment with the four-time All-Star and WNBA Champion.
🫶 sisterhood pic.twitter.com/bPrmo41WbA
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 19, 2025
“Sisterhood,” the Washington team captioned the post, perfectly capturing what the exchange represented.
The mentoring relationship extends beyond the 3-point contest. Ionescu and Citron are preparing to team up for the first time as members of Team Clark in the All-Star Game. Citron and her rookie teammate Kiki Iriafen made history as the first pair of rookie teammates since 1999 to be selected as All-Stars. Both were drafted by Caitlin Clark to play for Team Clark as reserves on July 8, joining forces alongside Ionescu against Team Collier.
Sonia Citron is going to benefit from Sabrina Ionescu’s WNBA 3-Point Contest win pic.twitter.com/6KT5FLLM10
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) July 19, 2025
This gesture from Ionescu shows how veteran players in the WNBA continue to lift up the next generation. What started as a nerve-wracking competition for a rookie became a lesson in generosity and support that defines the league’s culture.
