Who Is Sabrina Ionescu’s Fiancé? All About Hroniss Grasu

2023 was an all-star year for Sabrina Ionescu. She released her signature shoe with Nike, won the WNBA three-point contest with a career-high 37 points, and accepted a marriage proposal.

In January 2023, her longtime boyfriend, NFL player Hroniss Grasu, popped the question with an elaborate umbrella proposal. “I was completely shocked and taken aback,” Ionescu said on TikTok. “I was so happy.”

Throughout their relationship, the couple has remained relatively private, revealing few details about their love story. However, it is clear that Grasu supports Ionescu, as the professional footballer is often seen at her matches.

So who is Sabrina Ionescu’s fiance? Here’s everything you need to know about Hroniss Gras and his relationship with the professional basketball player.

He’s an NFL player

Sabrina Ionescu’s Instagram

Like Ionescu, Grasu is a star in the world of sports. In 2015, the Chicago Bears selected him for the first time in the NFL. The football center now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.

In an interview with Nets Republic, Ionescu admitted that their busy schedule can be a challenge, especially when it comes to wedding planning.

“It’s not the easiest thing to deal with,” she said. “You know, being engaged, but soon getting married to an athlete. It’s always something you have to deal with.”

However, she understands his career and always supports her from the sidelines. In December 2022, she shared a sweet photo on Instagram of herself at a game wearing a “Grasua” jersey with the caption, “Gratitude post – being able to support each other in our professional careers is something I will never take for granted 🤍 #65.”

He went to the University of Oregon

Sabrina Ionescu’s Instagram

Before being drafted by the NFL, Grasu played college football at the University of Oregon. The following year, in 2016, Ionescu began studying at the same university. While there, she earned her bachelor’s degree in three years playing basketball for the Ducks.

Both Ionescu and Grasu graduated in general social sciences.

His parents emigrated from Romania

Sabrina Ionescu’s Instagram

In addition to their alma mater and professional careers, Ionescu and Grasa have another thing in common: their Romanian heritage.

Grasu was born in Los Angeles after his parents immigrated from Romania. Similarly, Ionescu’s parents and older brother immigrated to the US from Romania during the 1989 revolution. Ionescu was born in Walnut Creek, California and grew up speaking English and Romanian.

Speaking to PEOPLE about her signature shoe collection with Nike, the WNBA star explained that she wanted to honor her family and heritage with the design. “It shaped me into who I am, the basketball player I am and the person I am,” she said.

Continuing, she explained some of the “easter eggs” in the shoe’s design, including a lowercase “i” and the words “Anyone, Anywhere” hidden inside the arch, a quote that represents how her family has always encouraged her.

“They didn’t care that I wanted to play basketball and that girls were supposed to play with dolls or whatever the gender norm was, they supported me and still do to this day,” she said.

Now she wants to be similarly inspiring to future athletes. “The first thing when a young girl opens a shoe, I just want them to be able to see the possibility and have a dream and do whatever it takes to make it happen because I did.”

He and Ionescu became Instagram officials in 2021

Sabrina Ionescu’s Instagram

The first public sign of their relationship appeared in 2021.

Ionescu first shared photos of the couple on Instagram in August 2021. “Happy birthday to my person! Always smiling with you🤍”, she wrote along with a series of pictures of the two together.

He proposed in 2023

Sabrina Ionescu’s Instagram

In January 2023, the couple got engaged. Ionescu announced the news on Instagram with a series of photos of Grasu kneeling on one knee surrounded by flowers and candles. “It’s always us🤍 we’re here forever with you – 1/20/23 #finally,” she wrote in the caption.

She revealed more details about their engagement on TikTok. At first she thought she was going to GQ photo shoot, but in reality Grasu planned an elaborate proposal with her agents to surprise her.

“I was completely shocked and taken aback because he played it so well,” she said. Afterwards, their friends and family arrived in a party bus to celebrate with the happy couple. “I couldn’t stop taking pictures with my ring,” she said, adding, “this night was so special.”

He and Ionescu are friends with Vanessa Bryant

Sabrina Ionescu’s Instagram

After announcing their engagement on Instagram, Vanessa Bryant was one of the first to congratulate the couple, writing: “Woooohoooooo!!! Yay!!!! Congratulations!!!!!❤️.”

Ionescu was mentored by her husband, the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, and became close to Vanessa and their daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri.

Vanessa also shared her post on Instagram to celebrate. “I missed your call at 12:14 am. this morning and I immediately called you when I saw this picture @sabrina_i !!!!” she wrote alongside a FaceTime photo of Ionescu holding up her hand to show off her engagement ring. “Sooooo happy for you and Hroniss!!! Such a good wake up call! Yupi!!!! 💍 💒 💕.”

The Bryant family was often seen at Ionescu’s games and hanging out with the triple-double lady off the court. She did everything from dancing with her sisters on TikTok to going on vacation with their family.

In October 2021, Ionescu posted a carousel of one such vacation on Instagram. “Flashback Friday… swipe to see my reaction😂😂,” she wrote alongside a series of photos of her and Grasu at Disneyland with the Bryants. “No, I don’t like rollercoasters, and yes, I was under pressure… ❤️,” she added, tagging Vanessa and Natalia.

He and Ionescu attended the 2024 NBA All-Star Game

In February 2024, the couple attended the NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. Before the big game, Grasu watched Ionescu face Steph Curry in the NBA vs. WNBA three-point contest.

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Source: HIS Education