January 19, 2023

Legendary point guard to be honored with ceremony and festivities at Climate Pledge Arena

SEATTLE —The Seattle Storm today announced plans to celebrate Sue Bird’s storied career, retiring her number 10 and honoring the greatest point guard in franchise history on Sunday, June 11, as the Storm host the Washington Mystics at 3:00 pm PT at Climate Pledge Arena.

Bird becomes the second player in franchise history to have their jersey number retired during the pre-game ceremony, joining Lauren Jackson’s #15 in the rafters at Climate Pledge Arena. Other activities to honor Bird along with giveaways and fan activities will be announced closer to the event.

Bird spent her entire 21-year career with the Storm, playing 19 seasons—the most of any player in WNBA history. She retired as the WNBA’s all-time leading assist leader, finishing her career with 3,234 assists. Bird was honored on each of the WNBA’s milestone teams including the All-Decade Team (2006), Top 15 Players (2011), Top 20@20 (2016) and was named to the W25 team in 2021 as one of the 25 greatest and most influential players in league history.

Bird won a record five Olympic gold medals to go along with four WNBA championships, two NCAA Championships, and five EuroLeague titles. She was selected to a WNBA-record 13 all-star games and was honored as an All-WNBA selection eight times. Bird is the only player in WNBA history to play in at least 500 games, starting each of her 580 career games. In addition, she ranks second in career three-pointers made (1,001), third in steals (725), and seventh in points (6,803).

Bird’s importance to the Seattle Storm franchise cannot be overstated. Originally selected as the No. 1 overall pick by Seattle in the 2002 WNBA draft, Bird was with the Storm for 21 of the franchise’s 23 seasons of existence. She scored or assisted on 27.5% of every basket scored in Seattle Storm history, including the four seasons she didn’t play (2000, 2001, 2013 and 2019). When only including those games she played in, Bird scored or assisted on 35.4% of all Storm baskets.

Storm 2023 single game tickets go on sale in March, but fans can secure seats for Sue Bird’s jersey retirement game today by becoming a Storm 360° Season Ticket Member, purchasing a multi-game package, or booking a group outing. The Storm is offering 10-game and 6-game packages along with 20-ticket or 10-ticket flexible packages, all of which include tickets to the June 11 game. In addition, groups of 10 or more will receive ticket savings and recognition on the Storm Vision. For more information or to purchase your ticket plan, visit http://ticketcentral.seattlestormbasketball.com, or call 206-217-WNBA (9622).

—— StormBasketball.com ——

COURTESY WNBA AND SEATTLE STORM COMMUNICATIONS