How Sue Bird Made History as the First Woman with a WNBA Arena Statue

Three seasons prior to Caitlin Clark's arrival, Sue Bird announced her retirement. While Bird wasn't known for her deep three-point shots, she enjoyed an illustrious 20-year tenure as the premier pure point guard in women's basketball, serving as an influential leader, trailblazer, and ambassador for the sport.Recently, Bird was honored by becoming the first WNBA player with a statue outside of Climate Pledge Arena, during the Seattle Storm’s game against the Phoenix Mercury. In her address, the celebrated athlete reflected on the significance of her stature, hoping it paves the way for future WNBA legends.Drafted first overall by the Storm in 2002 after a stellar collegiate career at UConn, Bird has numerous accolades including four WNBA championships and twelve All-Star selections. Notably, she leads the league with 3,234 assists.Bird has consistently broken barriers and elevated the women's game, ensuring her legacy will resonate for generations.