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 retired American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the WNBA's all-time greats. Drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm in 2002, she spent her entire WNBA career with the team, securing championships across three different decades. Beyond her WNBA achievements, Bird also held a role in the Denver Nuggets' front office. Bird has been inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2025), the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2025), the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame (2026), and the FIBA Hall of Fame (2026).

Sections (4)

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

2000: Gold Medal at Jones Cup

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 win 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

In 2000, Sue Bird won an NCAA Championship with UConn, beginning her streak of success.

2000: NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament Championship

In the 1999-2000 season, Sue Bird led her UConn team to a 36-1 record, the Big East Championship, and the championship at 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 for the second consecutive year.

2002: NCAA Championship

In 2002, Sue Bird secured her second NCAA Championship with UConn, further highlighting her college basketball success.

2002: World Championship Gold Medal

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

2002: Nancy Lieberman Award

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

2002: College Player of the Year

In 2002, Sue Bird's senior year, she won the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Award as College Player of the Year while playing on the undefeated University of Connecticut team.

2004: Olympic Gold Medal

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

2004: WNBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2004, Sue Bird won a WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm and also secured an Olympic gold medal, marking a significant year in her career.

2004: WNBA Championship with the Seattle Storm

In 2004, Sue Bird, along with Betty Lennox and Lauren Jackson, led the Seattle Storm to its first WNBA Championship, marking a significant achievement in her career. With the win, Sue became one of 11 women to receive an Olympic gold medal, an NCAA Championship, Fiba World Cup gold, and a WNBA Championship.

2005: UConn Career Rankings

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

2006: Induction to "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.

2006: Russian Super League and EuroLeague Women championships

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

2007: EuroLeague Women Champion

In 2007, Sue Bird won a EuroLeague Women champion, contributing to her record.

2008: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2008, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal, contributing to her impressive collection of accolades.

2010: WNBA Championship

In 2010, Sue Bird secured another WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm, adding to her list of career achievements.

2011: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg

In 2011, Sue Bird started playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian League, adding three more consecutive championships in the Russian league.

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 by fans, recognizing her significant contributions to the league.

2012: Fifth Straight Olympic Gold Medal

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

2012: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2012, Sue Bird won another Olympic gold medal, adding to her already impressive career achievements.

2013: EuroLeague Women Champion

In 2013, Sue Bird won a EuroLeague Women champion, contributing to her record.

2014: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal

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

2014: Played for UMMC Ekaterinburg

In 2014, Sue Bird played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian League, adding three more consecutive championships in the Russian league.

2014: FIBA World Cup

In 2014, Sue Bird won a FIBA World Cup, contributing to her record.

2016: Sixth Straight Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Sue Bird competed for Team USA in the Summer Olympics, helping the team win its sixth straight gold medal. In the gold medal game, they beat Spain 101–72. This was Bird's fourth Olympic title.

2016: All-WNBA First Team Selection and Playoff Appearance

In 2016, Sue Bird had a resurgence, putting up her best numbers since returning from knee surgery and being named to the All-WNBA First Team. The Storm made it back to the playoffs with a 16–18 record.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Sue Bird won an Olympic gold medal, marking another significant achievement in her career.

September 1, 2017: WNBA All-Time Leader in Assists

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: Storm's All-Time Leading Scorer

On July 8, 2018, Sue Bird became the Seattle Storm's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Lauren Jackson's record with 6,007 points.

July 19, 2018: All-Star Appearances Record

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

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

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

2018: FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Gold Medal

In 2018, Sue Bird qualified for Team USA during the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup held in Spain. USA defeated Australia 73–56 to win the gold medal. By winning the gold medal, Bird became the only player in history, male or female, to win four World Cup gold medals. Bird finished the final with five assists, bringing her career total to 107 assists in the FIBA World Cup, making her the leader for the U.S. with the most assists at the World Cup.

2018: WNBA Championship

In 2018, Sue Bird won her third WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm, further solidifying her legacy in the league.

2020: Co-hosted the ESPYs

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

2020: Fourth WNBA Championship

In 2020, Sue Bird returned to play, though limited to 11 regular season games due to the pandemic-delayed and shortened season at the IMG Academy. Despite re-aggravating her knee, the Storm finished 18-4 and secured the number 2 seed. They swept the Minnesota Lynx in the semi-finals and defeated the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals, winning Bird's fourth WNBA championship, making her the first WNBA player to win championships in three different decades.

2020: WNBA Championship and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Sue Bird won her fourth WNBA championship with the Seattle Storm and also secured an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, continuing her streak of success.

July 2021: Re-signing with the Storm and surpassing Katie Smith's scoring record

In July 2021, Sue Bird re-signed with the Storm for her 18th season, surpassing Milton-Jones for most seasons played in the WNBA. During a game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Bird passed Katie Smith's 6452 career points on the WNBA career scoring list, finishing the game with 6490 points. She was also honored in The W25 list, which recognized the 25 greatest and most influential players in WNBA history.

July 23, 2021: Flag Bearer at Tokyo Olympics

On July 23, 2021, Sue Bird carried the U.S. flag at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Bird and baseball player Eddy Alvarez were selected by fellow athletes to be the flag bearers, which she described as "mind-blowing".

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, further recognizing her impact on the WNBA.

2022: Inclusion in Queer 50 List

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

July 23, 2023: Seattle Storm Jersey Retirement

On July 23, 2023, Sue Bird's number 10 jersey was retired by the Seattle Storm in a ceremony at Climate Pledge Arena with team owners and former teammates Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson in attendance.

2024: Sue Bird's WNBA Record

As of 2024, Sue Bird is the only WNBA player to have won championships in three different decades, underscoring her longevity and sustained success in the league.

2025: Induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2025, Sue Bird was inducted into both the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy as one of basketball's greats.