Bird Re-Ups With Storm

Sue Bird, one of the greatest players in UConn women's basketball
history, has re-signed with the Seattle Storm--the only team she has
 played with in her 18-year WNBA career.

SEATTLE—Former UConn star Storm Sue Bird, who has played for the Seattle Storm throughout her entire WNBA career, will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Bird, who was drafted No. 1 overall by the Storm in the 2002 WNBA Draft, will return to the Pacific Northwest for her 19th season.

“It’s no secret how I feel about the city of Seattle and the Storm franchise,” Bird said in a statement. “I’m a lifer and to be able to re-sign is extremely exciting. I’m looking forward to getting back on the court with my teammates and playing in front of our amazing fans.”

Bird, who played at UConn from 1998-2003 was a member of two national championship teams during her time in Storrs (2000 and 2002). She also has played on four Olympic gold medal winning teams (2004, 2008, 20012 and 2016). A knee injury sidelined the Syosett, NY, native for the entire 2019 season, but anyone who thought Bird’s advanced age—at least in basketball terms (she’s 38)—doesn’t know her. In fact, Bird has already returned to action as a member of Team USA as it prepares for a fifth gold medal run this summer in Tokyo (assume that happens amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Bird is the WNBA's all-time leader in both minutes played and assists.
The surefire first-round future Hall of Famer is also third in three-
pointers, fifth in steals, eighth in points scored and ninth in field goals.

“Hey Storm fans, I’ve got some really surprising news for you… It’s kind of shocking,” the 11-time WNBA All-Star who has also excelled overseas, playing with three Russian Euroleague jokingly Tweeted. “If you’re not already seated, please do that now. OK here we go, I re-signed with the team. So I’ll be back this season.”

Bird is the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists and minutes, and ranks eighth in points (6,154), ninth in field goals (2,247), third in three-pointers (852) and fifth in steals (652).

“The thing about Sue is that she elevates everything she touches to a championship level,” said Storm CEO and general manager Alisha Valavanis. “This is exactly why she is an icon not just for Seattle but for the country, and we are thrilled to have her lead us again.”

The Bird deal comes on the heels of the Storm re-signing another UConn legend, Breanna Stewart. Stewie, who won four national championships with the Huskies and was the WNBA’s MVP in 2018, also missed last season. One can safely assume that with the return of the two Husky immortals in 2020, the Storm will rebound from last year’s 18-16 record and second-round playoff defeat.

The Storm will visit the Mohegan Sun Arena to take on the Connecticut Sun on June 5. The Sun will visit Seattle on May 27.

—Staff Reports

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