Sue Bird re-signs with Seattle Storm
Veteran guard Sue Bird has re-signed with the Seattle Storm.
From the Storm:
“Sue’s commitment to this team and to the city of Seattle is unprecedented,” said president and general manager Alisha Valavanis. “It’s special for a professional athlete to leave a legacy with one franchise. We’re grateful she will continue to lead the Storm.”
Bird, a two-time WNBA Champion with Seattle in 2004 and 2010, is a nine-time WNBA All-Star and four-time All-WNBA First-Team selection. She also has three Olympic gold medals, and was recently named a finalist for the 2016 USA Women’s Basketball Team that is set to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
“Seattle is my home,” said Bird. “I am thrilled to be re-signing with the Storm. This franchise and city have been incredibly supportive throughout my career and I am looking forward to getting back to work with my teammates.”
Bird scored her 5,000th point on Aug. 2, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City against the Liberty. That milestone made her the first WNBA player in history to score 5,000 points and record 2,000 assists.
The Syosset, New York native has appeared in 413 WNBA games, starting every single one. She ranks 2nd all-time in assists, (2,215), 9th in steals, (547) and 11th in points, (5,087). She was named to the WNBA’s All-Decade team in 2006 and one of the league’s greatest 15 players at the WNBA’s 15th Anniversary celebration in 2011.
“Sue is unequivocally the best point guard to ever play our game,” said Storm head coach Jenny Boucek. “Her accolades speak for themselves but her impact goes way beyond the numbers or the wins. She is one of the best leaders, teammates and competitors to play any sport on any level.”
Bird led the 2010 team to a historic WNBA Championship, sweeping every playoff series, the first team in history to string together an undefeated, seven-game run in the postseason. She led the league in assists per turnover ratio and second in assists per game. She posted three regular-season double-doubles with points and assists.
The Connecticut graduate was Seattle’s first overall selection in the 2002 WNBA Draft. She quickly filled up the team’s record-books in her first season, finishing her rookie season as the franchise’s leader in assists, was named to the WNBA All-First Team, a starter for the West in the All-Star game, and led the team in minutes played, games started, assists, three-point field goals and steals.
Seattle opens its 2016 WNBA home slate at KeyArena on Sunday, May 22 vs. defending WNBA Champions Minnesota Lynx.
