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 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.

2000: NCAA Championship

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

2000: Nancy Lieberman Award

In 2000, Sue Bird won the Nancy Lieberman Award, given to the top point guard in the nation.

2001: Nancy Lieberman Award

In 2001, Sue Bird won the Nancy Lieberman Award for the second time.

2002: NCAA Championship

In 2002, Sue Bird secured another NCAA Championship with UConn.

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.

2002: Nancy Lieberman Award

In 2002, Sue Bird won the Nancy Lieberman Award, marking her third consecutive win.

2002: College Player of the Year Awards

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

2004: First WNBA Championship

In 2004, Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm won their first WNBA Championship. With the WNBA Championship win, Bird became one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, FIBA World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.

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.

2005: UConn Career Rankings

As of 2005, Sue Bird held significant rankings in various statistical categories at UConn, including No. 24 on the 1,000-point list, No. 2 in assists, and seventh in steals.

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.

2006: Huskies of Honor

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.

2007: EuroLeague Women Champion

In 2007, Sue Bird became a EuroLeague Women champion.

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.

2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal.

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: Second WNBA Championship

In 2010, Sue Bird and the Seattle Storm won their second WNBA Championship.

2011: WNBA's Top 15 Players of All Time

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

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: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal.

2013: EuroLeague Women Champion

In 2013, Sue Bird was a EuroLeague Women champion.

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: FIBA World Cup

In 2014, Sue Bird won a FIBA World Cup.

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.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal.

2016: All-WNBA First Team Selection

In the 2016 season, Sue Bird had a resurgence, earning a spot on the All-WNBA First Team for the fifth time in her career and leading the league in assists.

September 1, 2017: All-Time Assist Leader

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

July 8, 2018: All-Time Leading Scorer for the Storm

On July 8, 2018, Sue Bird became the Storm's all-time leading scorer, passing Lauren Jackson's record.

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 most all-star appearances.

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.

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.

2018: WNBA Championship

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

2020: WNBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Sue Bird won her fourth WNBA championship with the Storm and secured her fifth Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

2020: Fourth WNBA Championship

In 2020, Sue Bird won her fourth WNBA championship, making her the first player in WNBA history to win a championship in three different decades.

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.