”Stephen vs. Sabrina,” a head-to-head 3-point shootout between the two deadeyes, will take place during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, according to an announcement made by the NBA on Tuesday morning. The match will feature Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu, who is a resident of the Bay Area and plays for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association.

Curry, the all-time greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history and a former two-time champion of the NBA 3-point contest, made a passing reference to the challenge with Ionescu on Thursday, while he was having a conversation with rookie guard Brandin Podziemski before to a game against the Sacramento Kings.

Curry tells the rookie guard, “I think I’ve got to challenge her,” in a video that has been shared on social media. Curry is wearing a microphone during the conversation.

In the month of July, during the Women’s National Basketball Association’s All-Star Weekend, Ionescu won the league’s 3-point contest in Las Vegas by scoring 37 of the 40 available points. For both the NBA and the WNBA, her point total is the record for most points scored in a three-point shootout. On social media, Curry expressed his congratulations by posting the word “RIDICULOUS” and tagging Ionescu, who promptly responded to the message.

“Shoot out?” she asked, captioning the post with an emoji of a laughing face and tagging Curry.

The challenge was accepted, and it was decided that it would take place on February 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, amid the customary Saturday night festivities that accompany the All-Star Game.

Curry is in the midst of another All-Star-caliber season, averaging 27.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5 assists while cannoning 40.3% of the 11.6 3-pointers he attempts a game. Although reserves will be announced on Thursday, Curry is currently in the thick of another All-Star season.

Over the course of the previous season, Ionescu, who graduated from Miramonte-Orinda, averaged 17.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. On her way to setting a new single-season record for the WNBA with 128 points, she made 44.8% of her three-point shots. 

Upon the conclusion of the organized confrontation, Curry and Ionescu treated one another with respect on X.

“I’ll take a shot from the NBA line line… “LET US GET IT!!!!!!! ” Ionescu stated in his letter. “The stage is ready! Ionescu’s account was tagged in the message that Curry posted, “Let’s get it.” 

Podziemski was selected for the main event: Podziemski, a rookie guard who was a revelation, was selected as one of the league’s Rising Stars on Tuesday afternoon. He will also be representing Golden State, which will be participating in All-Star Weekend. 

During the current season, the two-guard, who is 20 years old and was taken 19th overall from Santa Clara in the 2023 NBA draft, has played 37 games and has averaged 9.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Podziemski has demonstrated his ability to make shots and create opportunities with both primary and secondary units, as well as his ability to rebound well at his position and defend with purpose in 24.6 minutes per game. He has a field goal percentage of 46.2% and a three-point percentage of 38.8%. 

Other rookies who are participating in the Rising Stars competition include Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder), Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets), and Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers). These rookies competed against the sophomores and G League standouts on February 16 at Gainbridge FieldHouse in Indianapolis.

Among the sophomores are players such as Jabari Smith Jr. (Houston Rockets), Keegan Murray (Sacramento Kings), and Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic). Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder) is another player that graduated from Santa Clara. 

G League Ignite players Ron Holland, Matas Buzelis, Izan Almansa, and Tyler Smith are all included in the G League’s roster of representatives. All of these players are NBA draft prospects.

The National Basketball Association player pool will be divided into three teams of seven on February 6 by honorary head coaches and Pau Gasol, Tamika Catchings, and Jalen Rose. The player pool will consist of 21 players, 11 of whom are first-year players and 10 of whom are second-year players, who were selected by the assistant coaches of the league. In addition, Detlef Schrempf, who is also retired, was selected to coach a G League team that was established by the league office of the NBA.