Witness to the tremendous growth of women’s basketball in North America — including the record-breaking season of the WNBA in the past year — Ionescu had first hand experience in what it takes to improve and cultivate the product.
As Filipina ballers have started to emerge and take their own space in various levels of basketball in the country, Ionescu said that those who believe in women hoopers will just have to take small steps day by day.
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Speaking in a panel talk in Taguig last Monday, Ionescu had sage advice to offer to Filipinos seeking to grow women’s basketball.
“It's not being satisfied and continuing to chip day by day. One percent every single day. It's not going to happen overnight,” Ionescu said.
“It's not going to be an overnight chip, but it's continuing to believe in the product, what it is that these young women are doing in this area,” she added.
In the US, Ionescu said that policy makers and leagues have continued to push for women’s basketball across the board, which has turned into investments that further up the quality of the product. With more attention funneled into programs, women ballers have risen higher and higher.
“[It’s] understanding that us, the people back in the States, firmly believe that every location, everywhere deserves to continue to grow and pour investment in and continue to have these young girls believe they can come out and accomplish whatever it is they want to do, whether it's play in the WNBA or play overseas, be the best athlete that they can [be],” said Ionescu.
“I think it's just understanding that it will come around, and when it does come around, everyone needs to be ready for that moment because it's going to be a big one that continues to grow.”
While women's basketball is flourishing in the local collegiate leagues, such as the UAAP, there have been limited opportunities for players to showcase their skills in the country aside from participating for the national basketball team and in occasional 3x3 competitions.
But just this year, the semi-professional Women's Philippine Basketball League (WMPBL) was revived to showcase women's hoops.
Ionescu herself was able to impact the day-by-day growth of women’s basketball in the country through her visit.
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During her three-day stay in Manila, Ionescu participated in a skills camp, a basketball showcase in the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum, and a court refurbishment in Bulacan for sports organization Girls Got Game.
