The Seattle Storm announced on Thursday that the team plans to retire Sue Bird’s #10 jersey during a pre-game ceremony at Climate Pledge Arena on Sun. June 11, prior to the Storm’s game against the Washington Mystics.
Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and a four-time WNBA champion with the Storm, will become just the second player in franchise history to receive the honor. She joins longtime teammate Lauren Jackson as the only two players in club history to have their number retired.
Bird played her entire 19-year career with the Storm, making her the longest-tenured player in WNBA history. She received 13 All-Star nominations as a player and is the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists (3,234).
Sue Bird is largely regarded as the best point guard in WNBA history. She appeared in 580 regular season games, averaging 11.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
The Storm will kick off the season against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces at Climate Pledge Arena on Sat. May 20, as they embark on the team’s first season without Bird as a member of the roster since 2001.
Northwest Sports Desk 