Kristian Ferrell
After a legendary 20-year career with the WNBA, Sue Bird retired from professional basketball in 2022. Bird was a five-time Olympic gold medallist, 12-time WNBA All-Star, and the league's all-time leader in assists. She played her entire career with the Seattle Storm, who selected her as the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement Status | Retired |
| Date of Retirement | 2022 |
| Age at Retirement | 41 |
| Career Length | 20 years |
| Career Games Played | 550-559 |
| Career Starts | 549-580 |
| Career Assists | 3,000-3,114 |
| Career Points | 6,639 |
| Career Three-Pointers Made | 965 |
| Career Steals | 700 |
| WNBA Championships | 4 |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 5 |
| NCAA Championships | 2 |
| EuroLeague Titles | 5 |
| All-Star Games | 12-13 |
| All-WNBA Selections | 8 |
| Other Achievements | First WNBA player to win 4 championships in 3 different decades; first WNBA player to record 8 assists in a game after turning 40; one of only 2 rookies to make the All-WNBA First Team; only WNBA player to appear in 500 career games; one of only 4 WNBA players to make 100+ 3-pt FGs; one of only 2 players at UConn to amass 1,000 points, 500 assists, and 200 steals |
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What You'll Learn
Sue Bird's career highlights
Sue Bird is considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history. She is the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades and has been voted by fans as one of the WNBA's Top 15, 20, and 25 players of all time. Bird is also the WNBA's all-time leader in both assists and career starts, and the only player to have appeared in 500 career games. She has won four WNBA championships and participated in 12 or 13 All-Star games. In addition to her five Olympic gold medals, Bird has won two NCAA Championships and four FIBA World Cups.
Bird was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft. In her rookie season, she started all 32 games for the Storm, averaging 14.4 points per game. She was selected as a starter on the 2002 WNBA Western Conference All-Star team and was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award. Bird also led the Storm to their first playoff appearance that year. During her first season, she scored a career-high 33 points in a regular-season game against the Portland Fire.
Bird was a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program in 2006. She won the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Award as College Player of the Year in her senior year on the undefeated University of Connecticut team in 2002. She finished her UConn career ranked first in three-point field goal and free throw percentages and second in assists and steals. She also led her team to a record of 114–4.
Bird has been inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. She was also inducted into the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame in the same year. In August 2018, a street near Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle was renamed "Sue Bird Court".
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Her impact on the growth of basketball
Sue Bird, one of the greatest players in WNBA history, retired from professional basketball in 2022. She played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and is considered a beacon of excellence in women's basketball.
Bird's impact on the growth of basketball is undeniable. She has inspired generations of players and helped grow the game. Bird's exceptional talent was evident early in her career, and she consistently performed as a key player for the Seattle Storm, leading them to multiple championships. She is the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades and has appeared in a record number of All-Star games. Bird's skill and leadership on the court have solidified her status as one of the best point guards in basketball history.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Bird has been a driving force in advocating for gender equality in sports. She has been a role model for young female athletes, promoting growth and recognition for basketball players everywhere. Bird's influence extends off the court as well. During her term as vice president of the WNBA players' union, she navigated the league through the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritising activism and the expression of social justice messages during games.
Bird has also contributed to the growth of women's basketball through her work in the media. She has hosted a popular basketball podcast, interviewing current stars and providing a platform for the sport. Additionally, Bird has been inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, further cementing her legacy in the sport.
The city of Seattle honoured Bird's impact by renaming a street near Climate Pledge Arena "Sue Bird Court". This tribute underscores the profound influence she has had on the game and the inspiration she has brought to the city and its fans.
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Sue Bird's retirement announcement
On June 16, 2022, WNBA legend Sue Bird announced her retirement from professional basketball. Bird spent her entire 21-year career with the Seattle Storm, making her the only player in the league's history to have played for a single franchise for so long.
Bird's decision to retire came after a celebrated career, during which she became the WNBA's all-time leader in assists, recording over 3,000 career assists—a remarkable 514 more than any other player. She also holds the distinction of being the only player to have appeared in at least 500 career games, starting in each of them. In addition to her impressive assist record, Bird ranks second in career three-pointers made (965), fourth in steals (700), and seventh in points (6,639).
Bird's impact on the Seattle Storm franchise is immeasurable. She was the No. 1 overall pick by the Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft and has been an integral part of the team ever since. During her 18 seasons with the Storm, Bird either scored or assisted on nearly 33% of every basket. She led the team to four WNBA championships and a remarkable undefeated home slate in the 2010 season, en route to their first title.
Beyond her accomplishments with the Storm, Bird represented the United States in Olympic basketball, winning five consecutive gold medals. She was also a two-time NCAA champion and a five-time EuroLeague champion. Bird's accolades and impact on the game have solidified her legacy as one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
Bird's final season was filled with emotional farewells and celebrations of her illustrious career. On August 7, 2022, the Storm's final home game of the regular season, a franchise-record crowd of 18,100 fans gathered to witness Bird's final regular-season game in Seattle against the Las Vegas Aces. The game culminated in a tearful goodbye as Bird stepped off the court for the last time, with fans chanting, "Thank you, Sue."
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Her post-retirement plans
Sue Bird, the WNBA legend, retired after the Seattle Storm's playoff loss in 2022. She spent her entire 21-year career with the Storm and is considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history.
Bird has not explicitly stated her post-retirement plans, but she has held a front-office position with the NBA's Denver Nuggets as their Basketball Operations Associate. Additionally, she served as the vice president of the WNBA players' union from 2018 to 2020, where she navigated the league through the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritised activism and social justice initiatives.
Bird's legacy extends beyond her athletic achievements, as she has inspired countless girls to take an interest in basketball. She has also been inducted into the University of Connecticut's "Huskies of Honor" recognition program and had a street in Seattle named after her. Furthermore, she has been invited to the White House six times, receiving invitations from every sitting U.S. president since George H. W. Bush.
Bird's post-retirement life may include various opportunities, such as continuing her work in basketball operations or pursuing other leadership roles within the WNBA or other basketball organisations. She may also choose to focus on her personal life, including her engagement to soccer star Megan Rapinoe. Bird's impact on the sport and her dedication to social justice initiatives suggest that she will continue to be an influential figure and a role model for athletes and young girls interested in basketball.
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Sue Bird's legacy
Sue Bird is a legendary basketball player with an extensive list of achievements and accolades. She is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Bird played her entire career with the Seattle Storm of the WNBA, where she made an impact both on and off the court.
Bird was the first overall pick by the Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft. In her rookie season, she started all 32 games, averaging 14.4 points per game. She was selected as a starter on the 2002 WNBA Western Conference All-Star team and was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award. Bird led the Storm to their first playoff appearance alongside Lauren Jackson.
Throughout her illustrious career, Bird won a joint-record four WNBA championships with the Storm (2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020). She also secured five Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020), becoming one of only two Olympic basketball players, regardless of gender, to achieve this feat. Her other notable accomplishments include two NCAA Championships with UConn (2000 and 2002), four FIBA World Cups (2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018), and five EuroLeague Women championships (2007-2010 and 2013).
Bird's impact extended beyond the court as well. She served as the vice president of the WNBA players' union from August 2018 to 2020. During her tenure, she navigated the league through the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritising player safety and activism. Her leadership resulted in the WNBA allowing players to express social justice messages on jerseys and basketball courts.
Bird's legacy is not just defined by her numerous accolades but also by her impact on the growth of basketball and her inspiration to girls and women interested in the sport. She has been honoured for her achievements, including being inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025 and having a street in Seattle renamed "Sue Bird Court" in August 2024.
On June 16, 2022, Bird announced her retirement from professional basketball, bringing an end to her unparalleled 20-year career. She played her last game on September 7, 2022, when the Storm lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the playoffs. Bird retires as the winningest WNBA player of all time, leaving behind an inspiring legacy that has helped shape the future of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, she is. She announced her retirement from the WNBA at the end of the 2022 season.
Sue Bird is considered one of the greatest players in WNBA history. She is the WNBA's all-time leader in assists and career starts. She is the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades and to appear in 500 career games. She also won five Olympic gold medals for the U.S. women's basketball team.
After stepping down from her position as vice president of the WNBA players' union, Bird took on a front office role as Basketball Operations Associate for the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
