Sabrina Ionescu didn’t just win hearts with her shooting at the 2025 WNBA All-Star weekend. She won them with what happened after the final shot fell. The New York Liberty star’s spectacular 30-point performance secured her second 3-Point Contest victory, but her post-victory announcement about splitting the prize money has everyone talking about more than just her shooting stroke.
The gesture shows how veterans can lift up newcomers while staying true to their community commitments. Ionescu’s decision to share her substantial winnings with rookie competitor Sonia Citron and her charitable foundation turned a personal triumph into something bigger.
How Did Sabrina Ionescu’s Record-Breaking Performance Lead to Her Generous Promise?
Ionescu’s performance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse marked her second 3-Point Contest title, placing her among elite company alongside four-time winner Allie Quigley. The Liberty guard’s dominant final round included a streak of 11 consecutive made shots, showcasing the precision shooting that has defined her professional career.
However, what happened after the contest grabbed just as much attention. A viral social media post captured Ionescu explaining her decision during her post-contest interview.
“Well, I told Sonia that I would give her half if I won when we were sitting on the bench as being like the only rookie and, you know, she was nervous and I was nervous for her, like, you know, and so I obviously have to hold up my end of the bargain,” Ionescu revealed.
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
Her victory earned a total prize of $62,575, combining $60,000 from Aflac’s partnership with the WNBPA and $2,575 from the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement. Rather than keeping the entire amount, Ionescu chose to honor a promise made to Washington Mystics rookie Citron before the competition began.
Why Did Ionescu Choose to Support Rookie Sonia Citron?
Citron faced unique pressure as the only first-year player in the contest field. Despite scoring 19 points in the opening round, she didn’t advance to the finals but earned recognition for her courage in competing at such a high-profile event.
“So half is going to go to her. I got to text her and let her know that I’m going to give her half of it just for participating like that takes a lot of courage to be able to do that as a rookie and what she did and I was really proud of her,” Ionescu continued in the interview.
The financial impact is significant for Citron. She will receive approximately $31,287.50, representing nearly 40% of her $78,831 rookie contract salary.
Meanwhile, the Notre Dame product has already made solid contributions to the Mystics in the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 14.1 points while shooting 36.5% from three-point range. The remaining half of Ionescu’s prize money will support her SI20 Foundation, which creates equitable sports access for youth from diverse backgrounds.
“The other half will go to my foundation to continue to be able to give back in communities that mean a lot to me,” she explained. The foundation operates through partnerships across New York, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Eugene, focusing on using basketball for community development and youth leadership programs.
Ionescu’s decision reflects how winning can mean more than taking home a trophy. Her choice to split the prize money between supporting a nervous rookie and funding youth programs shows the impact players can have beyond their individual achievements.
