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Nike has been making waves in the basketball world with its latest signature shoe, the Nike Sabrina 1. The shoe is designed for Sabrina Ionescu, the star point guard of the New York Liberty and one of the most dynamic young athletes in the WNBA. The Nike Sabrina 1 is set to debut this June in an "Ionic" colorway that features a muted palette of Photon Dust, Anthracite, Fuchsia Dream, Light Smoke Grey, and Light Bone.
The player’s recently debuted signature shoe failed to impress internet users and other sneakerheads, as they made hilarious remarks on the upcoming colorway. One of them even compared the sneaker design to Ja Morant’s Nike Ja 1 sneaker design:
Nike Sabrina 1 "Ionic" shoe design was the subject of interesting comparisons on the internet
The first look of the shoe didn’t seem to impress the internet, although a few did say that they wanted a pair. Most, however, compared the design to the recently launched Nike Ja 1, Ja Morant’s first signature shoe with Nike.
Many said that these Sabrina 1 shoes resembled the signature Nike Kobe sneaker designs. Some other remarked that they looked like the Nike x Kyrie sneakers. Some said that they are a copy of Kobe signature shoes.
A few of them commented that the sneakers looked like LeBron 20. One of them called them Kobe knock-offs, while another said that they look like Nike Kyrie 8 leftovers.
More about the new Nike Sabrina 1 launch colorway "Ionic" Shoes
Ionescu is the first woman athlete to deliver a full unisex collection with Nike, with input from both female and male players.
The Nike Sabrina 1 is a low-cut basketball shoe that combines performance and style. The shoe features a cushioning system that includes forefoot Zoom Air, full-length Nike React foam, a midfoot shank and a lockdown system at the midfoot. These elements provide responsiveness, stability, and support for players who rely on quickness, acceleration, and agility.
The shoe also boasts some personalized details that reflect Ionescu's heritage and personality. The patterns seen on the overlay and medial Swoosh logo are an indication of her Romanian roots, while the letter "i" starts at the forefoot of the outsole and scoops up to the dotted letter just below the Achilles.
Finally, a bold message of "Anyone, Anywhere" is embedded into the midsole, expressing Ionescu's competitive spirit and encouraging inclusivity.
The Nike Sabrina 1 will retail for $125 USD for both men's and women's sizes. The shoe will be available in a range of sizes from 3.5 to 18. The "Ionic" colorway is scheduled to release on June 2023 at nike.com and select retailers. The shoe will launch ahead of the New York Liberty's home opener, where Ionescu will likely debut her signature sneaker on court.
The Nike Sabrina 1 is not only a shoe, but also a part of a larger footwear and apparel collection that celebrates Ionescu's journey and achievements. The collection will include clothing items such as hoodies, t-shirts, shorts, and socks that feature similar motifs and colors as the shoe. The collection will also release this summer alongside the shoe.
The duo's silhouette is a milestone for both Ionescu and Nike, as it marks the first signature shoe for a woman athlete in basketball since Sheryl Swoopes in 1996. Ionescu joins an elite group of Nike signature athletes that includes Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Naomi Osaka and Elena Delle Donne.
