Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sue Bird

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

Sue Bird, born Suzanne Brigit Bird, is a celebrated former professional basketball player, renowned for her career with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA. Drafted first overall in 2002, she's lauded as one of the WNBA's all-time greats. Notably, Bird is the only WNBA player to secure championships across three decades. Beyond the WNBA, she gained experience in the front office with the Denver Nuggets and played for multiple teams in the Russian league. She is also a dual citizen of the United States and Israel.

Sections (4)

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

2000: Competed in Jones Cup Team

In 2000, Sue Bird competed with USA Basketball as a member of the Jones Cup Team in Taipei, Taiwan. She started all four games, leading the team with 17 assists and helping them to the gold medal.

2000: Nancy Lieberman Award

In 2000, Sue Bird was the first winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award, given to the top point guard in the nation.

2000: NCAA Championship with UConn

In 2000, Sue Bird won an NCAA Championship with UConn.

2000: Big East Championship and NCAA Tournament Win

In her sophomore season (1999–2000), Sue Bird returned to lead the team to a 36–1 record, the Big East Championship, and the 2000 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.

2001: Nancy Lieberman Award

In 2001, Sue Bird won the Nancy Lieberman Award again, recognizing her as the top point guard in the nation.

2001: Final Four Loss

In 2001, the Huskies went 32-3, with their final loss against UConn's Big East rival Notre Dame in the Final Four.

2002: WNBA Draft and UConn Achievements

In 2002, Sue Bird was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA draft. Additionally, in her senior year at the University of Connecticut, she won the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Award as College Player of the Year.

2002: Competed in World Championships

In 2002, Sue Bird was named to the national team and competed in the World Championships in China, scoring 4.3 points per game and winning all nine games, including the title game against Russia.

2002: WNBA Draft and Rookie Season

In 2002, Sue Bird was selected by the Seattle Storm with the first overall pick of the WNBA draft and started all 32 games for the Storm in her rookie season, averaging 14.4 ppg. She was selected as a starter on the 2002 WNBA Western Conference All-Star team, was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award, and one of only two rookies to make the All-WNBA First Team.

2002: Second NCAA Championship with UConn

In 2002, Sue Bird won her second NCAA Championship with UConn.

2002: Nancy Lieberman Award

In 2002, Sue Bird won the Nancy Lieberman Award for the third time, solidifying her position as the nation's top point guard.

2002: Awards and Undefeated Season

In 2002, during her senior season, the Huskies went 39-0, and Sue Bird won the Wade Trophy, Honda Sports Award, and Naismith Award as College Player of the Year.

2002: College Player of the Year Awards

In 2002, during her senior year on the undefeated University of Connecticut team, Sue Bird won the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Award as College Player of the Year.

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 the Olympic Games in Athens

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

2004: First WNBA Championship with the Storm

In 2004, Sue Bird won her first WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm.

2004: Played in Russia with Dynamo Moscow

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

2004: First WNBA Championship

In 2004, the Seattle Storm, led by Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, and Betty Lennox, won their first WNBA Championship, making Bird one of only 11 women to achieve an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, Fiba World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.

2005: UConn Record Lists

As of 2005, Sue Bird ranked highly on many of UConn's record lists, including No. 24 on the 1,000-point list, No. 2 in assists, and seventh in steals, as well as number 1 in three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.

2005: Reached Russian Championship and Euroleague Playoffs

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

September 2006: Competed in World Championships

In September 2006, Sue Bird competed in the World Championships held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She led the team with 41 assists, helped the USA team win eight of the nine games they played. They fell against Russia in the medal round, and ended up with the bronze medal.

2006: Won Russian Super League and EuroLeague Women Championships

In 2006, during the WNBA off-season, Sue Bird joined Lauren Jackson, Diana Taurasi, and Svetlana Abrosimova on the Russian team Sparta&K, winning both the Russian Super League and the EuroLeague Women championships.

2007: EuroLeague Women Champion

In 2007, Sue Bird became a EuroLeague Women champion.

2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal.

2008: Won Gold Medal in Beijing Olympics

In 2008, Sue Bird won the gold medal with the Olympic basketball team in Beijing, China. She started all eight games and tied with teammate Tamika Catchings with 14 steals.

2009: Invited to USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp

In the fall of 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-sponsored All-Star game

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

October 2010: Qualified for FIBA World Championships

In October 2010, Sue Bird competed in the FIBA World Championships in the Czech Republic.

2010: Invited to USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp

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

2010: Second WNBA Championship with the Storm

In 2010, Sue Bird won her second WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm.

2010: Game-Winning Plays and Finals Appearance

In 2010, during the Conference Finals against the Phoenix Mercury, Sue Bird hit a game-winning three-pointer to advance to the WNBA Finals. In Game 1 of the 2010 WNBA Finals, Bird hit a game-winning jump shot, contributing to the Storm sweeping the series.

2010: Previous Finals Appearance

In 2010, the Seattle Storm last advanced to the WNBA Finals.

2011: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg

From 2011 Sue Bird played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian League.

2011: WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time

In 2011, Sue Bird was voted by fans as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time.

2012: Geno Auriemma coach for training camp and through 2012

In 2012, Geno Auriemma coached the National team for training camp and through 2012.

2012: Won 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: Selected for 2012 Olympics team

In 2012, Sue Bird was selected from the National Team for the 2012 Olympics teams.

2012: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal.

2013: EuroLeague Women Champion

In 2013, Sue Bird became a EuroLeague Women champion.

2014: Won Gold Medal at FIBA World Championship

In 2014, Sue Bird played for Team USA during the FIBA World Championship for Women, defeating Spain 77–64 to win the gold medal.

2014: Return to the WNBA

In 2014, Sue Bird returned for the WNBA season, playing 33 games, averaging 10.6 ppg and 4.0 apg, and being voted as a WNBA all-star. However, the Storm did not make it to the 2014 playoffs.

2014: Won Consecutive Championships in Russian league

In 2014, Sue Bird secured her third consecutive championship in the Russian league with UMMC Ekaterinburg.

2014: FIBA World Cup Gold

In 2014, Sue Bird won a FIBA World Cup gold medal.

February 16, 2016: Re-Signing with the Storm

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

2016: Won Fourth Olympic Title

In 2016, Sue Bird competed for Team USA in the Summer Olympics, winning her fourth Olympic title after defeating Spain 101–72.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal.

2016: All-WNBA First Team Selection and Playoff Return

In the 2016 season, Sue Bird experienced a resurgence, earning her fifth All-WNBA First Team selection and leading the league in assists. That year, the Seattle Storm made it back to the playoffs for the first time in 3 years.

May 21, 2017: Season Debut After Surgery

On May 21, 2017, Sue Bird made her season debut following recovery from knee surgery, making her both the oldest active player and starter in the WNBA. She scored 9 points and 10 assists in a victory over the Washington Mystics.

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.

September 1, 2017: WNBA All-Time Assists Leader

On September 1, 2017, Sue Bird became the WNBA all-time leader in assists with a career total of 2,600 assists, passing Ticha Penicheiro.

July 8, 2018: Storm's All-Time Leading Scorer

On July 8, 2018, Sue Bird became the Storm's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Lauren Jackson's record with 6,007 points, during a victory over the Washington Mystics where she scored a season-high 21 points.

July 19, 2018: Most All-Star Appearances

On July 19, 2018, Sue Bird was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, surpassing Tamika Catchings for the most all-star appearances.

July 22, 2018: Most WNBA Regular-Season Games Played

On July 22, 2018, Sue Bird broke the record for most WNBA regular-season games played after she passed Delisha Milton-Jones by playing her 500th game against the Atlanta Dream.

August 2018: Vice President of the WNBA Players Union

In August 2018, Sue Bird became the vice president of the WNBA players union.

2018: Won Record Fourth World Cup Gold Medal

In 2018, Sue Bird won her fourth World Cup gold medal with Team USA at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup held in Spain, becoming the only player in history to achieve this feat. She also became the U.S. leader with the most assists at the World Cup, totaling 107 assists.

2018: Third WNBA Championship with the Storm

In 2018, Sue Bird won her third WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm.

2020: Fourth WNBA Championship and Fifth Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Sue Bird secured her fourth WNBA championship with the Storm. She also won her historic fifth Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, making her one of two basketball players to achieve this.

2020: Won Fourth WNBA Championship

In 2020, Sue Bird won her fourth WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm after defeating the Las Vegas Aces. The season was shortened and held at the IMG Academy due to the pandemic. This win made her the first WNBA player to win a championship in three different decades.

2020: Leadership During COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, as vice president of the WNBA players union, Sue Bird was part of the leadership that navigated the WNBA during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked on social justice messages for players.

July 2021: Re-signed with Storm and Surpassed Career Points

In July 2021, Sue Bird re-signed with the Seattle Storm for her 18th season. During a game against the Los Angeles Sparks in July 2021, she surpassed Katie Smith's career points record with 6490 points. She was also honored in The W25 list.

2021: The W25 Selection

In 2021, Sue Bird was voted into The W25 as one of the league's top 25 players of all time.

June 16, 2022: Retirement Announcement

On June 16, 2022, Sue Bird publicly confirmed that she would retire from playing professional basketball after the 2022 WNBA season.

September 7, 2022: Final Game and Retirement

On September 7, 2022, Sue Bird's professional basketball career ended with the Seattle Storm's playoff loss to the Las Vegas Aces.

2022: Became Part-Owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC

In 2022, Sue Bird became a part-owner of National Women's Soccer League franchise NJ/NY Gotham FC as a minority investor and advisor to the league.

2022: Retirement Season

In 2022, which was also her retirement year, Sue Bird concluded her career having made a record 13 appearances playing in the Western Conference All-Star team, dating back to her rookie season in 2002.

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

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