The Seattle Storm will unveil a statue of Team USA’s five-time Olympic women’s basketball champion Sue Bird on Sunday (17 August), becoming the first team in WNBA history to honor a former player this way.
The 44-year-old Bird spent her entire 21-season career with the Storm, winning four WNBA titles, earning 13 All-Star selections, and becoming the league’s all-time leader in assists.
With Team USA, she won five consecutive Olympic basketball gold medals from Athens 2004 through to Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021). She also has four FIBA World Cup titles.
“Sue’s legacy goes beyond basketball; she redefined who gets to lead and be celebrated,” Storm President Alisha Valavanis said in a statement.
The statue, created by renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, symbolizes Bird’s lasting impact on basketball and Seattle.
“It’s not just for me, it’s for anyone chasing their dreams,” said Bird.