Sue Bird is often considered one of the greatest female basketball players ever. A recent documentary titled Sue Bird: In the Clutch showcases her respectable career, with particular emphasis on her final days as a professional athlete.
Sue Bird was born in October 1980 to Herschel and Nancy Bird. She became a sports star in high school, playing for Christ the King in Queens, New York. After that, she went to the University of Connecticut to play college basketball. Later, she joined the Seattle Storm team in the WNBA and played there for almost twenty years. During her time with the Seattle Storm, she helped them win four WNBA titles.
Bird represented the US women’s national team and won the World Championships in 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018. With her on the team, the US women’s national team won four consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.
After the end of the 2022 WNBA season, Sue Bird retired from professional basketball. At 43, she is currently engaged to soccer player Megan Rapinoe.
Per IMDb, the synopsis of Sue Bird: In the Clutch reads, “Follows the life of WNBA star Sue Bird, capturing the final chapter of her 19-year career in basketball.”
What are Sue Bird’s biggest achievements?
According to WNBA’s official website, some of Sue Bird’s most remarkable achievements are as follows:
- Four-time WNBA Champion (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020)
- All-time WNBA assists leader, passing Ticha Penicheiro on Aug. 1, 2017, at Washington with dime No. 2,600. Furthermore, she finished her career with 3,234 total assists
- On August 1, 2017, in a game in Washington, she became one of only two players to accomplish a 13-assist, 0-turnover game (Jennifer Rizzotti, CLE, 14 assists and 0 turnovers, June 21, 2002, vs. NYL — since been accomplished twice by Courtney Vandersloot).
- All-time WNBA leader in career starts, with 580. Bird never came off the bench in her 19-year career.
Sue Bird has played a whopping 580 games throughout her WNBA career
Throughout her WNBA career, Sue Bird has achieved remarkable milestones, reflecting her enduring commitment and longevity in the sport. Here are some of Sue Bird’s lesser-known yet impressive career highlights;
- Broke the WNBA’s all-time career games started on Aug. 5, 2017, at San Antonio, starting her 470th career game, moving past Tina Thompson
- WNBA’s all-time winningest player with 333 games won. Passed Lindsay Whalen on June 29 vs Las Vegas for her 324th career win
- Retired as the only WNBA player to appear in 550 career games
- WNBA-record 13-time WNBA All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022)
- Five-time All-WNBA First Team (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2016)
- Three-time All-WNBA Second Team (2008, 2010, 2011)
- Three-time WNBA regular-season assist leader (2005, 2009, 2016)
- Five-time Olympic gold medalist with USAB (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)
- Four-time FIBA World Championship gold medalist with USAB (2002, 2010, 2014, 2018) & one bronze medal (2006)
- Three-time WNBA Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award (2018, 2017, 2011 co-winner with Ruth Riley)
- Two-time NCAA Champion at UConn (2000, 2002)
- Named in WNBA’s W25 Team
- Named one of the 20 greatest players in WNBA history at the league’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2016
- Named one of the 15 greatest players in WNBA history at the league’s 15th anniversary celebration in 2011
- WNBA All-Decade Team (2006)
- Became Seattle’s all-time leader in field goals at Los Angeles on July 25, 2017.
Sue Bird’s basketball career, marked by her beginnings in Queens and successful college and WNBA years, has earned renown for her skill and commitment. She is recognized as one of the best in the sport with four WNBA titles and several Olympic gold medals. The documentary Sue Bird: In the Clutch honors her impressive achievements and influence on the sport.
