Liberty, Sabrina Ionescu ink contract extension through 2025 season

Star guard Sabrina Ionescu has signed a multi-year contract extension with the Liberty to keep her in New York though the 2025 season, the team announced Monday.

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce Sabrina’s multi-year extension,” said Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb in a press statement. “Her career is already off to a historic start and her will to win is truly unparalleled. Sab has quickly become synonymous with the Liberty franchise, and we look forward to her continued success in New York for many years to come.”

The deal comes after Ionescu’s breakout 2022 season, where the former No. 1 overall pick earned All-WNBA Second Team honors while leading the Liberty to its first postseason win since 2015. She averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 2022. The guard was also voted as an All-Star Game starter.

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“I’m thankful and honored to be able to represent the New York Liberty for the next couple years,” said Ionescu in a press statement. “Joe and Clara Wu Tsai, Jonathan Kolb, and the entire Liberty organization has been nothing short of amazing over my time here, and I’m thrilled to work towards bringing a championship back to New York City.”

The new contract comes before Friday’s season opener against the Washington Mystics. Ionescu will start her fourth season alongside former Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot in the backcourt, allowing the ex-Oregon star to create offensively off the ball. Former MVP award winners Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones will also join Ionescu when the 2023 season begins.