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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Storm unveil bronze Sue Bird statue outside of Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena
Sue Bird's legacy in Seattle has been cast in bronze. The Seattle Storm unveiled a statue of Bird outside of Climate Pledge Arena, securing a spot for the franchise legend outside her former stomping grounds. The bronze statue, which features Bird doing an iconic layup, was revealed in a ceremony on Sunday. Bird becomes the first WNBA player to be honored with a statue by her former franchise. The point guard picked a layup for her statue because of the significance that the move had in her career. "My very first points in the WNBA at Key Arena as a rookie were on a layup, my very final points in the WNBA were at Climate Pledge on a layup," Bird said. Among those in attendance at the ceremony was Bird's fiancée, USWNT star Megan Rapinoe. Bird was also joined by two of her former UConn teammates, Diana Taurasi and Swin Cash, and by fellow Storm legend Lauren Jackson, who is the only other player to have her number retired by the Storm. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Bird took the time to pose with the statue on her own, before posing with family and friends. Fans were then given a chance to get their own pictures as well. Bird is one of the most iconic players to come out of the Storm franchise, playing with the team for her entire 21-year career. She led Seattle to four WNBA Championships across a long span — 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 — and earned 13 All-Star nods and five All-WNBA First Team selections. Bird first joined the Storm as the No. 1 overall pick out of UConn in 2002. She played her final WNBA season in 2022 before retiring. Her No. 10 jersey was retired by the franchise the next year. Though Bird is the only player with a statue created by her WNBA franchise, she is not the only player in the league with a statue. Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson was honored with a statue at her alma mater, South Carolina, in 2021.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Storm unveil bronze Sue Bird statue outside of Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena
Sue Bird's legacy in Seattle has been cast in bronze. The Seattle Storm unveiled a statue of Bird outside of Climate Pledge Arena, securing a spot for the franchise legend outside her former stomping grounds. The bronze statue, which features Bird doing an iconic layup, was revealed in a ceremony on Sunday. Bird becomes the first WNBA player to be honored with a statue by her former franchise. The point guard picked a layup for her statue because of the significance that the move had in her career. "My very first points in the WNBA at Key Arena as a rookie were on a layup, my very final points in the WNBA were at Climate Pledge on a layup," Bird said. Among those in attendance at the ceremony was Bird's fiancée, USWNT star Megan Rapinoe. Bird was also joined by two of her former UConn teammates, Diana Taurasi and Swin Cash, and by fellow Storm legend Lauren Jackson, who is the only other player to have her number retired by the Storm. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Bird took the time to pose with the statue on her own, before posing with family and friends. Fans were then given a chance to get their own pictures as well. Bird is one of the most iconic players to come out of the Storm franchise, playing with the team for her entire 21-year career. She led Seattle to four WNBA Championships across a long span — 2004, 2010, 2018, 2020 — and earned 13 All-Star nods and five All-WNBA First Team selections. Bird first joined the Storm as the No. 1 overall pick out of UConn in 2002. She played her final WNBA season in 2022 before retiring. Her No. 10 jersey was retired by the franchise the next year. Though Bird is the only player with a statue created by her WNBA franchise, she is not the only player in the league with a statue. Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson was honored with a statue at her alma mater, South Carolina, in 2021.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
What makes Sue Bird's statue historic? State honors Seattle Storm legend with first-ever WNBA monument at Climate Pledge Arena
Unveiling of Sue Bird's statue (Image via Getty Images) On Sunday, Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird was honored by the city as her official statue was unveiled at Climate Pledge Arena. The icon is the first WNBA player to receive a statue . She played with the team from 2002 to 2022. She and her team made it to the WNBA Championships four times and won five gold medals at the Olympics. Meanwhile, Sue Bird attended the occasion with her fiancée, soccer player Megan Rapinoe. She counted down as her monument was shown and the curtain fell. Seattle declares August 17 'Sue Bird Day' as Storm icon honored with statue and citywide celebrations Due to her lengthy and illustrious career with the Seattle Storm , basketball star Sue Bird was honored on Sunday with a statue outside Climate Pledge Arena. During the ceremony, prominent Seattle Storm players also honored Sue Bird's accomplishments and legacy with the team and the community of Seattle. On Sunday morning, the Space Needle raised the 'Sue Bird' flag in honor of Mayor Bruce Harrell, who was also present. At 10 a.m. on Sunday, the statue's unveiling ceremony started. Mayor Harrell also declared August 17, 2025, as 'Sue Bird Day' in Seattle. During a press conference with the Seattle Storm, the decorated player discussed her career and the significance of the statue. Following the statue's unveiling, Sue Bird stated: "I'm the first player to ever have a statue built, and that fact both humbles me and fills me with pride… People keep asking me what it feels like to be the first, and the truth is I never set out to the be first at anything, but if being the first means that I won't be the last, if this statue means that 20 years from now there will statues of other WNBA greats... by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Walking shoes for elderly people with poor balance OUTLET Shop Now Undo then I'm proud to be the first." The statue of the former Seattle Storm player (Image via AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) She continued: "For over two decades, the city of Seattle supported me, both on and off the court... This statue isn't just for me, it's for anyone out there hoping to one day pursue their passions and live out their dreams.. I'm thankful to the Storm and Seattle for this honor..." Moreover, according to the Seattle Storm, BECU will also provide an original drawing of a vintage Sue Bird game-action shot made by local Seattle artist Keegan Hall. It will be presented to the first 7,500 spectators. Also read: Sue Bird to become first WNBA player honored with statue as Seattle Storm set to unveil in August Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seattle Storm to unveil Sue Bird statue outside Climate Pledge Arena
The Seattle Storm says a legendary point guard, Sue Bird, is getting a statue outside of Climate Pledge Arena. The Hall of Famer will be the first player honored with one from the WNBA franchise. The statue will be unveiled on August 17 at 10 a.m. Advertisement Storm franchise leadership, city officials, WNBA legends, and Sue Bird will all be in attendance. 'Sue's legacy isn't just written in championships—it's woven into the fabric of Seattle,' said Seattle Storm President & CEO Alisha Valavanis. 'Her leadership transcended basketball and helped shape a cultural shift—one that expanded who gets to lead, who gets seen and who gets celebrated.' Immediately following the unveiling, fans are invited to enjoy a free community fan fest beginning at 12:00 p.m. The Storm tip off against the Mercury at 3:00 p.m. later that afternoon. Doors to Climate Pledge Arena will open at 1:30 p.m., and the first 7,500 fans attending the game will receive an original drawing of a classic Sue Bird game-action photo created by local Seattle artist Keegan Hall, courtesy of BECU. Advertisement Bird's statue was created by Roblatt Amrany Studio sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany. It's the same studio behind some of the most iconic sports statues, including Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Dave Niehaus' statues at T-Mobile Park, Lenny Wilkens' statue at Climate Pledge Arena, and A'ja Wilson's statue at the University of South Carolina. 'For over two decades, the city of Seattle supported me, both on and off the court. It's because of this community that Seattle will forever hold a special place in my heart. This statue isn't just for me, it's for anyone out there hoping to one day pursue their passions and live out their dreams,' said Sue Bird. 'I'm thankful to the Storm and Seattle for this honor, and can't wait to celebrate with my family, friends and our amazing fans this August.' Bird spent her entire 21-season career with the Storm. She was a part of four WNBA Championships, 13 All-Star selections, and holds the all-time assists record.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naismith Hall of Fame finalists for Class of 2025 highlighted by Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird
On Friday, the Naismith Hall of Fame announced the 16 individual finalists (and one team) for the Class of 2025, out of dozens of potential nominees. The final list is highlighted by a number of big names across the NBA and WNBA, including Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, the 2008 U.S. men's basketball team and more. Among NBA players, Anthony and Howard stand out as finalists. Anthony is a 10-time All-Star, best known for his time with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. Howard, an eight-time All-Star, started his career with the Orlando Magic for eight seasons before playing for a number of other teams. He earned a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA bubble in 2020. Both Anthony and Howard finished their NBA careers with the Lakers in 2022. There are several big names on the WNBA side, as several veterans from the early days of the league become eligible. Bird, considered one of the greatest point guards in WNBA history, is a 13-time All-Star, four-time WNBA Champion and five-time Olympic gold medalist. Bird retired from the league in 2022 after spending her entire career with the Seattle Storm. Another WNBA finalist, Moore, has a relatively short career with a lot to show for it. In eight seasons, Moore led the Lynx to four WNBA championships, earning six All-Star nods and the WNBA MVP award in 2014. Moore's jersey was retired by Minnesota in an emotional ceremony in August. One of Moore's former Lynx teammates, Sylvia Fowles, is also a finalist. After seven seasons with the Chicago Sky, Fowles won two WNBA Championships in Minnesota, earning WNBA MVP in 2017, plus eight All-Star honors and four WNBA Defensive Play of the Year awards. She retired from the WNBA in 2022. The Hall is also honoring the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. Nicknamed the "Redeem Team," the team was coached by Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski, who led the team to a gold medal finish after a disappointing bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics. For the coaches, the finalists include several key names — including some that are still on the sideline. Finalists Mark Few and Billy Donovan are all still actively coaching: Donovan has headed up the Chicago Bulls since 2020, while Few has been the head coach at Gonzaga since 1999. Under Naismith guidelines, coaches can be eligible for the hall of fame either after five years of retirement, or after a minimum of 25 years as a coach. This year, the only contributor to be a finalist is Mickey Arison, who has been the owner of the Miami Heat since 1995. 'Contributor' covers a wide range of positions, including former NBA Commissioners, sports executives, and others that the Hall of Fame committee considers as having made 'significant contributions' to the game of basketball. The Hall of Fame announced a list of eligible nominees in December. A few notable names, including NBA coach Doc Rivers and longtime Iowa coach Lisa Bluder, were not announced as finalists. Additionally, former NBA stars and first time nominees Amar'e Stoudemire and Marc Gasol are not finalists to join the hall this year. Here is the full list of finalists for the Nasmith Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. Players Carmelo Anthony Sylvia Fowles Maya Moore Dwight Howard Sue Bird Jennifer Azzi Buck Williams Molly Bolin Marques Johnson Coaches Billy Donovan Jerry Welsh Tal Brody Mark Few Dušan Ivković Referees Danny Crawford Contributors Micky Arison Teams 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team
