WNBA legend Sue Bird announced that she would return for her 19th season via an Instagram post made on Friday.
Bird is currently an unrestricted free agent and cannot negotiate a contract with the Storm until the period officially opens on January 15. Players can then sign on February 1. She has played her entire career for the Seattle Storm since being drafted by the team in 2002.
GUESS WHO’S NOT GOING ANYWHEREEEE?!?! 🥺🤪🥳
— WSLAM (@wslam) January 7, 2022
BRB, going to cry happy tears @S10Bird pic.twitter.com/ZzTzFYrs3s
The four-time champion was recently named to the W25, a list of the top 25 players that have ever played in the W out of 72 nominees. To be considered, players had to have competed in the WNBA for at least two seasons and fit at least four of seven criteria:
- Winning a major individual playing award.
- Selection to at least one All-WNBA Team at any level.
- Selection to at least one WNBA All-Defensive Team at any level.
- Selection for at least one WNBA All-Star Game.
- Member of at least one WNBA championship team.
- A ranking among the top 40 career leaders in any major statistical category, as of the start of the 2021 season.
- Winner of the WNBA’s season-long Community Assist Award.
10 of the W25 are current players: Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Elena Delle Donne, Sylvia Fowles, Brittney Griner, Angel McCoughtry, Nneka Ogwumike, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Tuarasi
— WSLAM (@wslam) September 5, 2021
Who’s y’all GOAT in the W?! 👀🐐 pic.twitter.com/ILq6zHk7fi
Bird has put up 12.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game for her career. As the oldest active player in the W, she leads the league all-time in assists, games and minutes played, and turnovers. The 12-time All-Star ranks in the top 10 in multiple categories, including points, three-pointers made and attempted, steals, points, and made, missed, and attempted field goals.
Among her career accolades being voted All-WNBA eight times and led the league in assists three times. She has also won 10 medals with Team USA, making her the most decorated basketball player, man or woman, ever. She is one of only one of 11 players ever to win Olympic gold, World Cup gold, a WNBA title, and an NCAA title.
