Sue Bird's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Sue Bird. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

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: 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.

2006: Huskies of Honor Inaugural Class

In 2006, Sue Bird was a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the University of Connecticut women's basketball "Huskies of Honor" recognition program.

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.

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.

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: 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: 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: 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.

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.

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.

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: Co-Hosted ESPYs

In 2020, Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe were the first LGBTQ+ couple to co-host the ESPYs.

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.

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.

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, alongside baseball player Eddy Alvarez, chosen by fellow athletes.

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.

2022: Included in Queer 50 List

In 2022, Sue Bird was included in the Queer 50 list.

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.