Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sue Bird

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Sue Bird made an impact.

Sue Bird is a celebrated former professional basketball player, renowned for her remarkable career with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. Drafted first overall in 2002, she is widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, uniquely winning championships across three decades. Beyond her WNBA achievements, Bird also gained experience in the NBA as a Basketball Operations Associate for the Denver Nuggets and played for teams in the Russian league. She also holds dual citizenship with both the U.S. and Israel.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: Won Gold Medal at Jones Cup

In 2000, Sue Bird started all four games for the USA Basketball team at the Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan, leading the team with 17 assists and helping them win the gold medal.

2002: Drafted into WNBA

In 2002, Sue Bird was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA draft.

2002: Won World Championships with USA Team

In 2002, Sue Bird was named to the national team which competed in the World Championships in China. She scored 4.3 points per game, and the USA team won all nine games, including a close title game against Russia.

2002: WNBA Draft and Rookie Season

In 2002, Sue Bird was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm and started all 32 games, averaging 14.4 ppg, and was selected as a starter on the WNBA Western Conference All-Star team.

2003: Named to United States Olympic Basketball Team

In 2003, Sue Bird was named to the United States 2004 Women's Olympic Basketball Team's roster.

2004: Won Gold at Athens Olympics

In 2004, Sue Bird and the USA team won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

2004: Played in Russia with Dynamo Moscow

In 2004, Sue Bird played in Russia with Storm teammate Kamila Vodichkova on the Dynamo Moscow during the WNBA off-season.

2005: Reached Russian Championship and Euroleague playoffs

In 2005, Sue Bird played with Dynamo Moscow, reaching the Russian championship and the Euroleague women's playoffs during the WNBA off-season.

September 2006: Competed in World Championships and Won Bronze Medal

In September 2006, Sue Bird played in the World Championships held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She helped the USA team win eight of nine games, ultimately securing the bronze medal.

2006: Won Russian Super League and EuroLeague Women championships

In 2006, Sue Bird joined Sparta&K with fellow UConn stars to win both the Russian Super League and the EuroLeague Women championships.

2008: Won Gold Medal at Beijing Olympics

In 2008, Sue Bird qualified for the Olympic basketball team, which won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. She started all eight games and tied for seventh in steals.

2009: Invited to National Team Training Camp

In 2009, Sue Bird was invited to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp for the 2010 World Championship.

July 10, 2010: Competed in WNBA All-Star Game

On July 10, 2010, Sue Bird competed with the USA National team against WNBA All-Stars in the WNBA-sponsored All-Star game. Team USA won 99–72.

October 2010: Competed in the FIBA World Championships

In October 2010, Sue Bird competed in the FIBA World Championships in the Czech Republic after participating in a training camp and exhibition games.

2010: Competed in Training Camp

In 2010, Sue Bird participated in the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp.

2011: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg

In 2011, Sue Bird began playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian League during the WNBA off-season.

2012: Won Fifth Straight Gold Medal at Summer Olympics

In 2012, Sue Bird competed for the U.S. in the Summer Olympics, where the Americans won their fifth straight gold medal.

2012: Named to the Olympic team.

In 2012, Sue Bird planned to be selected for the Olympics team.

2014: Consecutive Championships in Russian League

In 2014, Sue Bird concluded her time with UMMC Ekaterinburg, having won three consecutive championships in the Russian league.

2014: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship

In 2014, Sue Bird played for Team USA during the FIBA World Championship for Women, where they defeated Spain to win the gold medal.

2014: Return to WNBA

In 2014, Sue Bird returned to the WNBA, playing 33 games, averaging 10.6 ppg and 4.0 apg, and was voted as a WNBA all-star.

February 16, 2016: Re-signing with the Seattle Storm

On February 16, 2016, Sue Bird re-signed with the Storm to a multi-year deal in free agency.

2016: Won Sixth Straight Gold Medal at Summer Olympics

In 2016, Sue Bird competed for Team USA in the Summer Olympics, helping the team win its sixth straight gold medal. This was Bird's fourth Olympic title.

May 21, 2017: Season Debut

On May 21, 2017, Sue Bird made her season debut, becoming the oldest active player and starter in the WNBA.

June 11, 2017: Season-High Performance

On June 11, 2017, Sue Bird scored a season-high 21 points and 10 assists in a loss to the New York Liberty.

July 22, 2018: Most Regular-Season Games Played

On July 22, 2018, Sue Bird set the record for the most WNBA regular-season games played, reaching 500 games.

August 2018: WNBA Players Union Vice President

In August 2018, Sue Bird became the vice president of the WNBA players union, taking on a leadership role.

2018: Won Fourth World Cup Gold Medal

In 2018, Sue Bird qualified for Team USA during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain. Winning the gold medal made her the only player to win four World Cup gold medals, with 107 assists, leading the U.S. in assists at the World Cup.

2020: Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

During her term as vice president in 2020, Sue Bird helped navigate the WNBA through the COVID-19 pandemic and negotiated with the league for safe gameplay, also prioritizing activism and social justice messages.

July 2021: Surpassed Katie Smith's Career Points & Honored in The W25 List

In July 2021, Sue Bird surpassed Katie Smith's 6452 career points on the WNBA career scoring list during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks. She ended the game with 6490 points and was honored in The W25 list, recognizing the 25 greatest players in WNBA history.

July 23, 2021: Carried U.S. Flag at Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony

On July 23, 2021, Sue Bird carried the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Summer Olympics, selected by fellow athletes as a flag bearer.

2022: Final All-Star Appearance

From her 2002 rookie season to her 2022 retirement, Sue Bird made a record 13 appearances playing in the Western Conference All-Star team.

2022: Became Part-Owner of Gotham FC

In 2022, Sue Bird became a part-owner of National Women's Soccer League franchise NJ/NY Gotham FC.

July 23, 2023: Seattle Storm Retired Bird's Jersey

On July 23, 2023, the Seattle Storm retired Sue Bird's number 10 jersey during a ceremony at Climate Pledge Arena, with team owners and former teammates present.

2024: Became part of the ownership group of the Seattle Storm & Mattel announced Sue Bird Barbie

In 2024, Sue Bird joined the ownership group of the Seattle Storm, Force 10 Hoops. On July 16th, 2024, Mattel announced a Sue Bird Barbie as part of their 65th anniversary of the Barbie doll.