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Sabrina Ionescu Makes Strong Statement Comparing NBA vs. WNBA Officiating

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Ettinger | Last updated May 27, 2025 2:20 AM ET

Sabrina Ionescu has established herself as one of the best players in the WNBA. Since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty, Ionescu has steadily improved her all-around game.

Ionescu was a superstar guard at the University of Oregon, setting multiple records during her four years playing at the college level. Her laundry list of accolades afforded her a certain status in the college game, however, Ionescu's time in the WNBA has felt different -- by her account.

While Ionescu has achieved tremendous accomplishments at the professional level, including winning the WNBA championship last year with the Liberty, Ionescu feels she has to earn every inch of her success on every play.

Ionescu used the difference between officiating in the NBA vs. the WNBA as an example. During an appearance earlier this week on Sue Bird's podcast, "Bird's Eye View", Ionescu elaborated, making a very strong statement on the difference of playing as superstar in the WNBA compared to what she sees happening in the NBA.

sabrina ionescu on officiating in the wnba:

“when you watch nba or men’s college, star players get any call. you can touch them with a fingernail, they’re going to the free throw line. in the W, they don’t care—there are no handcheck calls—freedom of movement is different...” pic.twitter.com/qGEXRDrC6V
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) May 26, 2025

"Officiating is a lot different. When you watch NBA or men’s college, your star players get any call. You can touch them with a fingernail, they’re going to the free throw line. In the W, they don’t care. You can be averaging 30, you can be coming off the bench, you're not really getting the benefit of the doubt on a whistle. It's hard nosed, physical, there are no hand check calls,” Ionescu said.

While Ionescu doesn't mention Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or any specific NBA players, there has been a lot of talk around the NBA's MVP being a "free throw merchant".

Ionescu has established herself as one of the best, most consistent guards in the WNBA. She's finished in the top-11 of MVP voting and has also been named to the second-team, All-WNBA in the past three seasons.

Ionescu is averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists through three games of the 2025 WNBA season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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