Sabrina v Steph Curry: ''I'm excited to compete against the best''

ANTWERP (Belgium) - Once the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments are done, attention will be locked on Sabrina Ionescu and Steph Curry as they face each other in a unique 3-point challenge.

Set to take place on Saturday February 17 at All-Star weekend, the matchup labelled as 'Stephen vs Sabrina' will be the first of its kind as they step up to represent the NBA and WNBA respectively in the shooting contest.

Curry is the NBA all-time 3-point leader and Ionescu is the WNBA single-season 3-point record holder. The latter challenged her fellow sharp-shooter after racking up 37 points out of a possible 40 points in the Final Round of the WNBA 3-Point Contest last year,  setting a single-round event record.

Curry raised the challenge again in a live television broadcast, with Ionescu accepting on social media and now the USA guard is ready to face a baller that she has nothing but respect for.

"I have been watching him since I was young, just growing up in the Bay Area, so it's been cool to see how he's been able to transform the game and how everyone continues to try and shoot like him," smiled Ionescu.

"Just being able to see what he's done on the court and also off the court as well speaks a lot about who he is as a person and I am excited for the All-Star weekend."

Anyone expecting fireworks or beef outside of the contest itself can bury that notion. There will not be anything but mutual respect, with Ionescu ready to show what she can do and acutely aware of the wider significance the historic duel could have. 

She said: "There's no rivalry because it's I think it's just a cool opportunity to be able to do that on that stage and obviously continues to push the needle for what women's basketball has been able to accomplish.

"To be honest, it's going to be a real fun event. I don't think either of us are taking it too seriously, but obviously I 'm excited to to go out there and compete again the best shooter in the world."

Most of all, the 26-year-old is hyped at what the contest could do to bring some new eyes on female athletes and the women's game in general.

"HOPEFULLY THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE LAST." - Ionescu

"Yes, just continuing to bridge the gap and obviously the audience which that game is going to have and the amount of people who are also there is hopefully going to attract even more people to our own game and All-Star games," added Ionescu.

"Hopefully this is the first time that this is going to happen, but certainly not the last," she stressed. 

Of course before the 3-point challenge takes place, Ionescu is focused intently on the mission in Antwerp at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament. While USA have already qualified for this year's Games, she's chasing down an Olympic debut and so has her head down to earn a coveted roster spot.

It has helped her cause that she competed with the USA 18 months ago at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney - her first taste of gold at the senior level. 

"It was about understanding what it takes," mused Ionescu looking back on her experience.

"This country obviously has a target on its back and we've been at the top for a really long time. With that comes a lot of responsibility and knowing that every time you have USA across your chest, you're here to take care of business - being the best version of yourself and what that team needs. Doing what is needed to win gold.

"So it was a great opportunity to be able to go out to Sydney and compete for that gold medal and now this as another step here [in Antwerp]."

She continued: "Obviously every time you come [to Team USA] you might be in a different role than you are used to and just being able to be open to that and being willing to learn from a lot of players who are older and have won gold medals is what really excites me. Like being able to share the same goals and being on the same team - unlike we do during the club season."

Certainly Ionescu did the business for USA in their opener against Belgium - a game that will live long in the memory as a breathtaking advert for the women's game and a contest that will not be forgotten by those who were there.

In front of a record-breaking Belgian crowd of 13,700, USA were almost handed their first global loss in 18 years but a thrilling tip-in with 0.1 seconds left by Breanna Stewart facilitated an 81-79 win and saved their skin. As did Ionescu playing in crunch time and making some big plays. 

She then followed up that up with a TCL Player of the Game display on day two in the one-sided 100-46 success against Nigeria. Rather than just dropping triples, the guard showed the other side of her game with 8 dimes.

Meanwhile one of those older ballers that the Californian refers to is the one and only Diana Taurasi.

"It's been amazing just to learn from her," highlighted Ionescu.

"Her experience is that she has played in so many and she knows what it takes. She knows how to fight adversity and knows what it takes to go into another country and to have what is needed of her and what is needed from the team to accomplish the ultimate goal, which is winning gold."

"So to be able to have that veteran leadership and presence on this team, especially with a lot more younger players than before is really important.

"It just serves as a mentorship for us and knowing years down the line we are going to be able to be the person that other people can rely on in order to make this team and to win many more gold medals," she concluded.

FIBA