Celtics' Payton Pritchard Reveals Why He Wears Sabrina Ionescu's Signature Shoes

Pritchard and Ionescu went to Oregon together.

Apr 27, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives past Miami Heat / Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Payton Pritchard and the Boston Celtics are currently awaiting the end of the Orlando Magic - Cleveland Cavaliers series to learn their opponent for the upcoming Eastern Conference semifinal series.

While everyone waits for the unofficial NBA TV series to wrap up on national television sometime this weekend, the local press gets to ask whatever questions they don't have time for when there are actual games to talk about, which is probably why someone finally asked Pritchard about his sneakers.

Prtichard wears Sabrina Ionescu's signature Nike shoes. Pritchard and Ionescu both went to Oregon as freshmen in 2016 and played all four years in Eugene before turning pro.

Ionescu was selected with the first pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, while Pritchard was taken 26th by the Celtics. While Pritchard doesn't have his own signature shoe, at least he found a comfortable one with his friend's name on it.

Payton Pritchard on why he wears Sabrina Ionescu’s shoes:

“Me and Sabrina are in the same class, and we went to Oregon together as freshmen. Her shoes are probably the most comfortable out right now. It’s light. I like it.” pic.twitter.com/rbROb4F1MU

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) May 3, 2024

Pritchard is not the only NBA player rocking the Sabrina's. During All-Star Weekend, Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II revealed that he had an exciting exchange with Ionescu about her shoes. She thanked him for wearing them while he thanked her for making them so comfortable.

"Thank you for wearing my shoes."
"Thank you for making them that comfortable."

This Dereck Lively II and Sabrina Ionescu interaction 🤣 pic.twitter.com/XdhQecEtPP

— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2024

That's some solid word-of-mouth. Not only does Ionescu have the skill and profile to be featured during NBA All-Star Saturday, but she also has got the footwear to back it up.

And if she has it her way, more WNBA players will get signature shoes. If they're half as comfortable as hers apparently are, that's a good thing for all basketball players.