True to its philosophy that made its success, the Swoosh brand continues to support promising athletes. While the Nike Ja 1 designed in collaboration with Ja Morant should be released very soon, the Beaverton-based brand introduces a new sportswoman who became a member of the Nike Signature family : professional basketball player Sabrina Ionescu and her ‘Sabrina 1’ sneaker.
The New York Liberty point guard, played an active role in creating her signature collection to serve all those who love the game. She joins a team of women who have partnered with Nike to develop signature collections with deeper meaning, including Serena Williams or Naomi Osaka.
Her signature shoe, the Sabrina 1, and her collection of unisex apparel and accessories are designed to create new momentum and redefine what it means to be a top athlete.
Kerry Sobol, Vice President of Women’s World Team and Organized Sports said of the partnership : “Sabrina Ionescu is the first women’s basketball player to offer a unisex signature collection with NIKE, Inc. We’re thrilled that she’s leading the charge with us and continuing to change the scope of the game for future generations.”
The Sabrina 1 is designed for players like her : ‘who want to accelerate, be fast on both sides of the court while still feeling good in the final quarter’.
To achieve this ambitious result, Nike designers focused on improving comfort and support, while keeping the shoe light.
The new model features Nike React cushioning throughout and a Nike Zoom Air unit in the forefoot. This combination allows for improved energy return and responsiveness, while a stabilizing midfoot shank helps the wearer stay balanced. A midfoot band system and locking cables keep the foot securely on the footbed.
In terms of design, this shoe pays homage to Sabrina Ionescu’s Romanian roots. The upper is adorned with embroidery motifs on the forefoot and the eyelets recall traditional Romanian art and architecture. To affirm the collab and the look, the letter “i” (Ionescu’s initial) in dotted lines surrounds the upper and lower outsole of the shoe. Also, the heel is adorned with a superimposed band with the signature engraved basketball player and the tongue of his initial S. On the medial side of the shoe, we discover an exclusive Swoosh inclined vertically. It represents the barriers the athlete has had to overcome throughout her career, and a hidden quote “Anyone, Anywhere” refers to her unmatched competitive spirit as well as her belief that dreamers can come from anywhere and be anyone.
Ionescu’s first signature clothing collection focuses on non-gendered performance. It includes a hoodie, t-shirts, shorts and a shoulder bag. A particular innovation is brought to one of the most important pieces of equipment for basketball players : the socks. The Nike Unicorn sock is the first Nike sock to use Dri-FIT ADV materials, a technology found in Nike’s most advanced apparel collections. Made with at least 80% recycled materials, this sock is designed to provide cushioning, compression, traction and Achilles tendon support for explosive movements.
The Nike Sabrina 1 and signature apparel collection will be released later this summer in stores and on nike.com. For the latest official details, stay tuned !
