Picture Credit: Twitter
WNBA legend Sue Bird has informed that she will retire from basketball at the end of the 2022-23 season. The four-time WNBA champion made her announcement on social media before her team Seattle Storm’s game against Connecticut. She wanted to retire after last season but decided to return for a 19th season as a player.
So I’m excited about that. It’s also bittersweet: Bird
“As the season has gone, like I said, I pretty much knew, and then once I saw the schedule, and then once I started packing for this trip a little bit, I was like, ‘Oh, this is gonna be my last time playing in New York. My last time playing in front of my family and friends.’ And so that’s why the timing of this is what it is,” Bird said in a video posted by the Storm.
“I just really felt strongly about announcing my retirement, saying it was my last year so I can share that with my family and my friends, all the people in New York who have watched me growing up so they can come and see me play for the last time in my home state. So I’m excited about that. It’s also bittersweet.”
One of the most decorated WNBA legends
She is a 12-time All-Star and has spent her entire WNBA career with Seattle. Bird was the No 1 draft pick in 2002 after an incredible college career at UConn. This will be her 21st season with the franchise although she has played in 19 seasons after missing two seasons because of injuries.
Sue Bird is a career 39.2% shooter from 3 with a reputation for hitting clutch shots when the team demands. She is second in career 3s (965), fourth in steals (700), seventh in scoring with 6,639 points and boasts of 3,114 assists.
There certainly isn't anything that Sue left undone or to prove: Auriemma
Bird’s college coach Geno Auriemma talked about her greatness. He said, "There certainly isn't anything that Sue left undone or to prove. There's going to be a lot of stories written and comparisons made about her and everything she's done. It really is no exaggeration to say, I don't think in our lifetime of watching basketball, that we've seen anyone play that position at a higher level and for a longer period of time than Sue has."