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SEATTLE — Basketball legend Sue Bird, one of the most decorated and respected figures in the history of the sport, has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
The honor comes in her first year of eligibility, a fitting tribute to a career defined by longevity, leadership, and winning at every level.
Bird, widely regarded as the greatest point guard in WNBA history, spent her entire professional career with the Seattle Storm from 2002 to 2022. Over 21 seasons, she played in a league-record 580 games and was part of more wins (332) than any other player in WNBA history. Her ability to perform at the highest level across two decades was matched only by her knack for elevating those around her.
A four-time WNBA champion (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020), Bird helped the Storm become one of the league’s most successful franchises. No other player in league history has won championships with a wider gap between their first and last title. Despite battling multiple knee injuries throughout her career, Bird remained a consistent force on the court, known for her poise, precision, and basketball IQ.
Statistically, Bird redefined the point guard position. She overtook Ticha Penicheiro in 2017 as the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists and still holds the top spot, nearly 400 assists ahead of her closest challenger, Courtney Vandersloot. She was named to the All-WNBA First Team eight times and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft.
Before her professional career, Bird starred at the University of Connecticut from 1998 to 2002. She helped lead the Huskies to two national championships, including the undefeated 2002 squad that is often cited as one of the most dominant in NCAA history. That season, Bird was the consensus national player of the year.
Her impact wasn’t limited to domestic play. Bird also shined on the international stage, teaming up with longtime friend and fellow UConn alum Diana Taurasi to form a historic backcourt for USA Basketball. Together, they won five Olympic gold medals from 2004 to 2021, with only Taurasi topping Bird’s medal count by adding a sixth in 2024.
Bird’s induction into the Hall of Fame cements her status as one of the game’s all-time greats—not just for her accolades, but for the way she changed the game. A trailblazer, a leader, and a champion in every sense, Sue Bird’s legacy now has a permanent home in Springfield.
