History of Sue Bird in Timeline
Sue Bird is a celebrated American former basketball player known for her exceptional career with the WNBA's Seattle Storm. Drafted first overall in 2002, she is considered one of the greatest WNBA players, notable for being the only player to win championships across three decades. Bird also contributed to the NBA's Denver Nuggets in a front office capacity and played professionally in Russia. Her dual citizenship with the U.S. and Israel adds to her unique profile.
1900: Sue Bird's Paternal Grandparents Immigrate to the US
In the 1900s, Sue Bird's paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from what is now Ukraine. Their last name was changed from "Boorda" to "Bird" at Ellis Island.
October 16, 1980: Birth of Sue Bird
Suzanne Brigit Bird was born on October 16, 1980.
1998: Sue Bird Starts at UConn
Sue Bird begins her basketball career at UConn in 1998.
1999: Sue Bird Tears ACL
Eight games into her freshman season at UConn (1998-1999), Sue Bird tears her ACL.
2000: Competing with USA Basketball in the Jones Cup
Sue Bird represented the United States as a member of the USA Basketball team that participated in the 2000 Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. As a starter in all four games, she displayed her exceptional passing skills, leading the team with 17 assists and contributing significantly to their gold medal victory.
2000: Sue Bird Returns to UConn Basketball
Sue Bird returns to play for UConn in the 1999-2000 season after recovering from an ACL injury and leads the team to a 36-1 record.
2000: First NCAA Championship with UConn
Sue Bird wins her first NCAA championship with UConn in 2000.
2000: First Nancy Lieberman Award
Sue Bird wins the Nancy Lieberman Award for the first time in 2000.
2001: Second Nancy Lieberman Award
Sue Bird wins the Nancy Lieberman Award for the second time in 2001.
2001: UConn Huskies Place Second in NCAA Tournament
During the 2000-2001 season, Sue Bird's team loses to Notre Dame in the Final Four of the NCAA tournament.
2002: Sue Bird's Senior Year at UConn
In 2002, Sue Bird's senior year at UConn, she won the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Award as College Player of the Year. Her team went undefeated and she finished her college career with impressive stats, including ranking first in three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
2002: Sue Bird's Senior Year at UConn
In her senior year at UConn (2001-2002), Sue Bird wins the Wade Trophy, Honda Sports Award, and the Naismith Award as College Player of the Year.
2002: Sue Bird's Rookie Season with the Seattle Storm
Sue Bird was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in 2002 and starts in all 32 games her rookie season. She is also selected as a starter for the 2002 WNBA Western Conference All-Star team, the runner-up for Rookie of the Year, one of two rookies to make the All-WNBA First Team, and scores a career-high of 33 points against the Portland Fire.
2002: Sue Bird Drafted to WNBA
Sue Bird was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft.
2002: Second NCAA Championship with UConn
Sue Bird wins her second NCAA championship with UConn in 2002.
2002: Third Nancy Lieberman Award
Sue Bird wins the Nancy Lieberman Award for the third time in 2002.
2002: World Championships in China
In 2002, Sue Bird joined the national team for the World Championships in Zhangjiagang, Changzhou, and Nanjing, China, where she contributed 4.3 points per game to the team's victory. The USA team, coached by Van Chancellor, won all nine games, including a nail-biting one-point victory against Russia in the title game.
2003: Selection for the 2004 US Olympic Basketball Team
In the 2003 off-season, Sue Bird secured a spot on the United States 2004 Women's Olympic Basketball Team's roster.
2004: First WNBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal
Sue Bird won her first WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm in 2004, the same year she won her first Olympic gold medal.
2004: Seattle Storm's First WNBA Championship
The Seattle Storm, led by Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, and Betty Lennox, won their first WNBA championship in 2004. With this win, Bird became one of 11 women to win an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, FIBA World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.
2004: Olympic Gold Medalist
In 2004, Sue Bird and the US Olympic basketball team triumphed at the Athens games, securing the gold medal.
2004: Playing in Russia with Dynamo Moscow
During the 2004-2005 WNBA off-season, Sue Bird played for Dynamo Moscow in Russia alongside her Storm teammate, Kamila Vodichkova.
2005: Sue Bird's Place in UConn History
By 2005, Sue Bird had secured her place in UConn women's basketball history, ranking highly in points, assists, steals, and holding the top spot for three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage.
2005: Reaching the Russian Championship and EuroLeague Women's Playoffs
In the 2005-2006 WNBA off-season, Sue Bird continued her stint with Dynamo Moscow in Russia. The team performed well, reaching the Russian Championship finals and also making it to the playoffs of the EuroLeague Women's competition.
September 2006: World Championships in Brazil
In September 2006, Sue Bird returned to the National team for the World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. With the retirement of Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley and injuries sidelining Sheryl Swoopes, Bird, along with Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi, took on leading roles for the team. The USA won eight out of nine games but lost to Russia 75-68 in the medal round, earning the bronze medal. Bird's performance included a 50% accuracy rate for three-point attempts, tying her for leadership in this category with Taurasi and Swoopes. She also led the team with 41 assists.
2006: Inducted into University of Connecticut Huskies of Honor
In 2006, Sue Bird was inducted into the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program.
2006: Joining Sparta&K and Winning Championships
In the 2006-2007 WNBA off-season, Sue Bird joined forces with Seattle Storm teammate Lauren Jackson and fellow UConn alumni Diana Taurasi and Svetlana Abrosimova on the Russian team Sparta&K. The team enjoyed tremendous success, winning both the Russian Super League and the EuroLeague Women's championships. Bird continued to play with Sparta&K for the next four WNBA off-seasons.
2007: First EuroLeague Women Championship
In 2007, Sue Bird won her first EuroLeague Women championship.
2008: Second Olympic Gold Medal
In the summer of 2008, Sue Bird earned her place on the Olympic basketball team once again, contributing to their gold medal victory in Beijing, China. Starting in all eight games, she tied with teammate Tamika Catchings for 14 steals, placing them both seventh in the tournament's top 10 for this category.
2008: Second Olympic Gold Medal
Sue Bird wins her second Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Olympic games.
2009: Invitation to USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp
In the fall of 2009, Sue Bird received an invitation to the USA Basketball Women's National Team training camp in preparation for the 2010 World Championship. Typically, players for the 2010 USA FIBA World Championship and the 2012 Olympics teams are chosen from the National Team. Following the training camp, the team was scheduled to compete in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
July 10, 2010: WNBA All-Star Game
On July 10, 2010, Sue Bird participated in the WNBA-sponsored All-Star game, where the USA National team went head-to-head with the "best-of-the-best" WNBA All-Stars. In non-Olympic years, the WNBA usually hosts its annual All-Star game, featuring top players from the Eastern and Western Conferences. For this particular game, the National team was coached by University of Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma, who continued to coach the team through training camp and into 2012. Team USA emerged victorious, winning the exhibition game 99-72. Players like Bird, who subsequently qualified for the USA team, then competed in the FIBA World Championships held in the Czech Republic during September and October 2010.
October 2010: FIBA World Championships
Sue Bird participated in the FIBA World Championships held in the Czech Republic.
2010: WNBA All-Star Game and FIBA World Championships
In 2010, Sue Bird played in the WNBA-sponsored All-Star game, which saw the USA National team competing against the "best-of-the-best" WNBA All-Stars. She then went on to compete in the FIBA World Championships in the Czech Republic in September and October 2010.
2010: Second WNBA Championship and FIBA World Cup
Sue Bird won her second WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm and her second FIBA World Cup in 2010.
2010: WNBA Championship and Finals Appearance
In 2018, the Seattle Storm secured the top seed in the WNBA with a 26-8 record, earning a double-bye to the semi-finals and home-court advantage. They faced a tough challenge from the Phoenix Mercury but triumphed in a hard-fought five-game series to advance to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2010. In the Finals, they dominated the Washington Mystics, sweeping them to win their first championship in eight years.
2010: Clutch Plays Lead the Storm to Victory
In 2010, during the WNBA playoffs, Sue Bird made several clutch plays to help secure the Storm's victory, including hitting game-winning shots in both the Conference Finals and the Finals.
2011: Joining UMMC Ekaterinburg
From 2011 to 2014, Sue Bird took her talents to UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian League during the WNBA off-seasons.
2011: Voted as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time
Sue Bird was voted as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time in 2011.
2011: Voted One of WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time
Sue Bird was voted one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time in 2011.
2012: Third Olympic Gold Medal
Sue Bird wins her third Olympic gold medal at the 2012 Olympic games.
2012: Preparation for the 2012 Olympics
Sue Bird was part of the training and preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
2012: Knee Problems
Sue Bird experiences knee problems during the 2012 WNBA season.
2012: Continued Training with Coach Geno Auriemma
Sue Bird continued to train under the guidance of coach Geno Auriemma.
2012: Third Olympic Gold Medal
In 2012, Sue Bird represented the United States at the Summer Olympics, contributing to the team's fifth consecutive gold medal win.
2013: Fifth EuroLeague Women Championship
In 2013, Sue Bird won her fifth EuroLeague Women championship.
2013: Knee Surgery
Sue Bird has knee surgery in the 2013 off-season, preventing her from playing that year.
2014: Three Consecutive Championships with UMMC Ekaterinburg
During her time with UMMC Ekaterinburg, the team dominated the Russian league, winning three consecutive championships, further adding to Bird's impressive list of accolades.
2014: Return to the Storm and All-Star Selection
In 2014, Sue Bird came back to play for the Storm. She had a solid season, averaging 10.6 points and 4 assists per game, which led to her being selected as an All-Star. Despite her efforts, the Storm didn't make it to the playoffs that year, nor the year after.
2014: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal
In 2014, Sue Bird played for Team USA in the FIBA World Championship for Women, where they triumphed over Spain with a score of 77-64, securing the gold medal.
2014: Third FIBA World Cup
Sue Bird won her third FIBA World Cup in 2014.
February 16, 2016: Re-signs with the Storm
On February 16, 2016, Sue Bird decided to stay with the Seattle Storm, signing a multi-year contract with the team.
2016: Fourth Olympic Gold Medal
Sue Bird wins her fourth Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Olympic games.
2016: Meeting Megan Rapinoe
Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe crossed paths at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2016: Resurgence, All-WNBA First Team, and Playoff Return
Sue Bird had a great year in 2016, achieving her best performance since her return from knee surgery. She averaged 12.8 points per game, achieved a career-high in 3-point shooting, and topped the league in assists with 5.8 per game. Her performance earned her a spot on the All-WNBA First Team, the fifth time in her career and the first in 12 years. This season was also notable for the Storm drafting future star Breanna Stewart. With Stewart and the already talented Jewell Loyd, the team returned to the playoffs, ending a three-year drought. Despite their return, they were eliminated in the first round by the Atlanta Dream. To top off the year, Bird was recognized as one of the WNBA's top 20 players in celebration of its 20th anniversary.
2016: Fourth Olympic Gold Medal
In 2016, Sue Bird was part of Team USA at the Summer Olympics, where she contributed to the team's sixth consecutive gold medal victory. They defeated Spain in the gold medal match with a score of 101-72, marking Bird's fourth Olympic title.
April 2017: Undergoes Left Knee Surgery
In April 2017, Sue Bird had surgery on her left knee, causing her to miss the Storm's training camp.
May 21, 2017: Season Debut and Oldest Active Player
On May 21, 2017, Sue Bird made her season debut after recovering from left knee surgery. This comeback made her both the oldest active player and starter in the WNBA. In her debut game, a victory against the Washington Mystics, she showcased her skills by scoring 9 points and providing 10 assists.
June 11, 2017: Season-High Score Against New York Liberty
On June 11, 2017, during a match against the New York Liberty, Sue Bird achieved a season-high score of 21 points and also contributed 10 assists. However, the Storm couldn't secure a win and lost the game with a score of 94-86.
July 20, 2017: Publicly Comes Out as Lesbian
On July 20, 2017, Sue Bird publicly came out as a lesbian, sharing that she had been in a relationship with soccer player Megan Rapinoe for several months after meeting at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
September 1, 2017: WNBA All-Time Assists Leader
On September 1, 2017, Sue Bird etched her name in WNBA history by becoming the league's all-time leader in assists. She achieved this milestone during a game against the Washington Mystics, where she surpassed Ticha Penicheiro's record of 2,600 assists. Despite her impressive performance of 19 points and a season-high 13 assists, the Storm couldn't secure a win, losing in overtime with a score of 110-106.
July 8, 2018: Season-High Score and Storm's All-Time Leading Scorer
On July 8, 2018, Sue Bird had an incredible game, scoring a season-high 21 points and leading the Seattle Storm to a 97-91 victory over the Washington Mystics. This game was even more special as she became the Storm's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Lauren Jackson's record of 6,007 points.
July 19, 2018: Most WNBA All-Star Game Appearances
On July 19, 2018, Sue Bird achieved another remarkable feat in her career. She was selected for the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, marking her record-breaking appearance, surpassing Tamika Catchings for the most All-Star selections in WNBA history.
July 22, 2018: Most WNBA Regular-Season Games Played
On July 22, 2018, Sue Bird added another milestone to her illustrious career. She participated in her 500th WNBA game when the Seattle Storm played against the Atlanta Dream. This achievement allowed her to surpass Delisha Milton-Jones for the record of most regular-season games played in WNBA history.
August 2018: Elected Vice President of WNBA Players Union
In August 2018, Sue Bird took on a leadership role off the court when she was elected as the Vice President of the WNBA Players Union.
2018: Fourth World Cup Gold Medal
In 2018, Sue Bird once again qualified for Team USA, competing in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain. The USA team defeated Australia 73-56 to claim the gold medal. This victory made Bird the only player in history, male or female, to win four World Cup gold medals. In the final, she contributed five assists, bringing her career total to 107 assists in the FIBA World Cup, making her the leading US player in assists at the World Cup.
2018: Featured on ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue"
In 2018, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe made history as the first same-sex couple to be featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue."
2018: Third WNBA Championship and Fourth FIBA World Cup
Sue Bird wins her third WNBA championship and fourth FIBA World Cup in 2018.
May 2019: Arthroscopic Surgery and Season Absence
In May 2019, Sue Bird underwent arthroscopic surgery on her left knee, sidelining her for the Seattle Storm's preseason games. The surgery and subsequent recovery period forced her to miss the entire 2019 season. Adding to the team's woes, fellow star player Breanna Stewart also missed the season due to injuries. Despite these setbacks, the Storm secured a playoff spot but were eliminated in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks.
October 30, 2020: Engagement to Megan Rapinoe
On October 30, 2020, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe announced their engagement.
2020: Return to Play, Championship Victory, and Historic Achievement
Sue Bird returned to the court in 2020 after recovering from her knee injury, playing in 11 regular-season games. The season was unique due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a delayed and shortened schedule with all games held at the IMG Academy in a controlled environment nicknamed the "wubble." Bird experienced a minor setback with her knee, causing her to miss a few games. Despite the challenges, the Storm performed exceptionally well, finishing with an 18-4 record and earning the second seed. They dominated the playoffs, sweeping the Minnesota Lynx in the semi-finals and the Las Vegas Aces in the finals to secure the championship. This victory marked Bird's fourth WNBA championship, making her the first player in league history to win titles in three different decades.
2020: Tokyo Summer Olympics Postponement
The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Fourth WNBA Championship and Fifth Olympic Gold Medal
In 2020, Sue Bird wins her fourth WNBA championship and her fifth Olympic gold medal, making her one of two Olympic basketball players to ever achieve this.
2020: Co-hosting the ESPYs
In 2020, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe became the first LGBTQ+ couple to co-host the ESPY Awards.
2020: Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic and Advocating for Social Justice
In 2020, Bird, as part of the union's leadership, played a crucial role in guiding the WNBA through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked on negotiating safety protocols with the league and prioritized player activism. Notably, she advocated for allowing players to express social justice messages during games, a significant step towards promoting awareness and change.
July 2021: Surpasses Katie Smith on WNBA Career Scoring List and Recognition in W25 List
In July 2021, during a game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Sue Bird achieved another scoring milestone, surpassing Katie Smith's 6,452 career points to move up the WNBA's all-time scoring list. In recognition of her illustrious career, she was named to the W25 list, honoring the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history, a selection made to commemorate the league's 25th season.
July 23, 2021: Flag Bearer at the Tokyo Summer Olympics
On July 23, 2021, as she prepared to compete for her fifth gold medal, Sue Bird had the distinct honor of carrying the US flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Bird and baseball player Eddy Alvarez were chosen by their fellow athletes to be the flag bearers. Bird described the experience as "mind-blowing." The Games had been postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Voted into The W25
Sue Bird was voted into The W25 as one of the league's top 25 players of all time in 2021.
June 16, 2022: Sue Bird Announces Retirement
On June 16, 2022, Sue Bird announced she would retire from professional basketball at the end of the season.
September 7, 2022: Sue Bird's Final Game
On September 7, 2022, the Seattle Storm lost the playoff game to the Las Vegas Aces, marking Sue Bird's final game.
2022: Sue Bird's Final Season
From her rookie year in 2002 to her retirement in 2022, Sue Bird played for the Seattle Storm and made a record 13 appearances on the Western Conference All-Star Team.
2022: Minority Investor in NJ/NY Gotham FC
In 2022, Sue Bird expanded her entrepreneurial ventures by becoming a part-owner of the National Women's Soccer League franchise NJ/NY Gotham FC as a minority investor. Beyond her financial investment, Bird took on an advisory role for the league, contributing to the club's promotion at local, national, and international levels.
2022: Included in the Queer 50 list
In 2022, Sue Bird was recognized for her impact and influence by being included in the Queer 50 list.
2024: Sue Bird Makes WNBA History
As of 2024, Sue Bird is the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades.
2024: Joining the Seattle Storm Ownership Group
In 2024, Sue Bird joined Force 10 Hoops, the ownership group of the Seattle Storm, solidifying her legacy with the team.