Sue Bird will be honored by the Seattle Storm with a statue unveiling. During Bird’s playing days for the Seattle Storm, she was a generational talent, so it makes sense that she will get an honor that no other WNBA player has ever received. On Sunday, August 17, before the Seattle Storm takes on the Phoenix Mercury, a statue in Bird’s honor will be installed outside Climate Pledge Arena. This will be a monumental celebration for a once-in-a-lifetime player. The Storm will be the first WNBA team to do such an honor for a player.
Legacy Of Sue Bird
After being chosen by the Seattle Storm as the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Sue Bird stayed with the team for more than 20 years. She became the Storm’s lifeblood during her 21 seasons, helping them win titles in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020. Her longevity is unparalleled, and she has had a massive impact on the team’s and the league’s identity. Bird’s vision on the court, selfless play, and capacity to uplift others characterized a period of basketball greatness.
“Sue’s legacy isn’t just written in championships—it’s woven into the fabric of Seattle,” said Seattle Storm President & CEO Alisha Valavanis in a release. “Her leadership transcended basketball and helped shape a cultural shift—one that expanded who gets to lead, who gets seen, and who gets celebrated.”
Collegiate and Professional Career
Sue Bird led college powerhouse UConn to two national championships. During her illustrious WNBA career in Seattle, Bird averaged 11.7 points and 5.6 assists per game before retiring at the end of the 2022 season. Sue Bird earned a staggering 13 All-Star selections and guided the team to all four of its league titles (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020). In terms of career points, assists, steals, field goals, and three-pointers, she holds franchise records.
“Today, as the first WNBA franchise to honor a player with a statue, we celebrate not just Sue’s illustrious career, but the standard of excellence and future she helped shape for the next generation of athletes, leaders, and advocates. This statue is more than a tribute. It’s a promise that what Sue stands for will keep rising, and young people, especially girls, will always see themselves in greatness,” Valavanis added.
Conclusion
Sue Bird has had an illustrious playing career, and her career off the court is likely to be just as dynamic. Bird will join the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on September 5–6, in a ceremony that will be held in Uncasville, Connecticut, to enshrine her. Bird became the inaugural managing director of the USA women’s basketball team in May after joining the Storm’s ownership group in April. The statue unveiling will be part of a day-long celebration, including a community fan fest and a game against the Phoenix Mercury, called the “Forever Sue Game.”
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