One of the most popular basketball franchises across the NBA and WNBA will get its newest iteration this summer.
The Nike Sabrina 4 adds a new TPU plate underfoot as its headline innovation. The propulsive element is inspired by sprinters launching off the starter’s block and is intended as a connection to the University of Oregon, Sabrina Ionescu‘s alma mater and a powerhouse in running. Cushlon 3.0 foam and a forefoot Air Zoom unit work in conjunction with the plate, which is less stiff than the carbon fiber favored in running shoes, for a system of comfort and stability.
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“Seeing my shoe worn across all levels of the game tells me that we are creating shoes that basketball players really love,” Ionescu said in a press release. “It takes a lot of work with my team at Nike to deliver footwear that can perform at this level and get better with each model. Every year, I work on my game, finding any area of opportunity to add or improve. And that is exactly what we are doing with my shoe and my entire line — innovating in the right places while still keeping that Sabrina-feel that players everywhere know and love.”
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While Nike had its basketball heritage in mind for the first three of Ionescu’s signature models, the Sabrina 4 is intended to have a more modernized aesthetic. A haptic print on its lightweight base invokes the player’s Romanian heritage with a pattern that transitions from “S”s to “I”s as it moves from heel to forefoot. Swooshes are given a mirrored finish, including the signature vertical application on the medial side, and the heel brings back the “i” mark that’s also been a staple of the line.
Alongside the shoe, a collection of signature of apparel will mark the debut of Nike’s Aero-Fit technology in basketball.
The Nike Sabrina 4 will release in July through Nike’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $135.
