Sue Bird, a UConn women’s basketball legend, stood at center court at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, biting her lower lip as she looked out at her hometown crowd.
When the crowd began to chant, “Thank you, Sue!” her eyes began to water and she tried to hold back the sniffles.
Sue Bird’s 20-year basketball career has come to an end. The former UConn, WNBA, and Team USA star has announced her retirement.
“I didn’t want to leave the court, but that’s where everyone seemed to be going, so I just followed at first,” Bird said after the Seattle Storm’s 97-92 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night. “But I also wanted to take one last moment to thank you and soak it all in.” Because it is, in some ways, a happy thing. You know, I’m proud of everything we’ve done here.
“Of course, I’m sad, but I’m also happy to have had that moment with the fans, to have them chant the way they did.” I know the tears don’t appear to be happy tears, but there is much happiness.”
Bird’s career ended in front of a raucous home crowd in her adopted hometown of Seattle, as Las Vegas defeated the Storm in Game 4 of their WNBA playoff semifinal series to advance to the championship game.
She retired as an All-American, college National Player of the Year (2002), two-time NCAA Champion, four-time WNBA Champion, 13-time WNBA All-Star, five-time EuroLeague Champion, and five-time Olympic gold medalist.
Despite the fact that she graduated from UConn twenty years ago, she still holds the program records for 3-point field goal percentage (45.9) and free-throw percentage (.500). (89.2). She also holds the WNBA records for most games played, most minutes played, All-Star selections, and assists.
Despite the fact that she graduated from UConn twenty years ago, she still holds the program records for 3-point field goal percentage (45.9) and free-throw percentage (.500). (89.2). She also holds the WNBA records for most games played, most minutes played, All-Star selections, and assists.
But the clock ran out when fellow former UConn star Breanna Stewart slipped while catching a pass from Bird on Seattle’s final possession, effectively ending the season and Bird’s historic career. (Stewart finished Game 4 with 42 points, tying the WNBA record set by Angel McCoughtry in 2010 for most points in a playoff game.)
“I know that myself, our entire staff, team, and organization have a lot of respect for Sue,” Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said. “She’s had a fairy tale career, one that every kid dreams of.” She got to experience it firsthand. She was living it out loud. Her imprint on the game will live on forever.”
Bird was instrumental in Seattle’s postseason run.
She helped the Storm advance to the semifinals by scoring 18 points and dishing out 10 assists in Game 2 of the team’s first-round series sweep of Washington.
Bird had a season-high 12 assists in 37 minutes of action in Game 1 against Las Vegas. In Game 2, she had six assists, six points, and four rebounds.
Game 3 on Sunday in Seattle was an instant classic. Bird played at a different level than the Aces, who won in overtime 110-98. She had 17 points and eight assists in 43 minutes. Her 3-pointer from the corner with 1.9 seconds left in regulation gave Seattle a two-point lead, but a layup by Aces’ Jackie Young at 0.2 seconds sent the game into overtime. Vegas scored 18 points to win the game and take the series lead.
While her playing days on the court are over, her influence will live on.
“It’s been incredible. “I mean, just being in the locker room with Sue, I’ve been pretty spoiled and blessed to come into the league and have her be my point guard, captain, and leader,” said Jewell Loyd, Bird’s Seattle teammate.
“She’s basically raised us in this league and has always had our back.” Sue Bird will never be replaced… We’ve been extremely fortunate to have Sue as a generational player.”
Bird has been the face of the Seattle Storm since she was drafted first overall in 2002. She was with Storm for all 21 seasons, missing only two (2013 and 2019) due to injury. During her time in Seattle, Bird never came off the bench. This season, she started alongside former Huskies Stewart, Tina Charles, and Gabby Williams.”
“She has an impact, and her fingerprints are all over this roster, every single person in this franchise, and her ability to just keep stringing people in confidence to make sure we come together, we gel together,” Stewart said.
“Just being ourselves gave us the ability to be ourselves.” We owe Sue a great deal and are grateful for everything she has done.”
What is Bird going to do now? The possibilities are endless.
She has already had a hand in a number of ventures, having worked in NBA front offices as well as an ESPN analyst. During the 2022 Final Four, she and Taurasi collaborated with ESPN to create the ‘Bird and Taurasi Show,’ which featured live commentary from the weekend’s three games. Some speculate that she will try her hand at coaching. Others believe she has been a coach her entire life.