WNBA's Storm to unveil statue of Bird on Aug. 17

The Seattle Storm volition unveil a statue of WNBA fable Sue Bird extracurricular of Climate Pledge Arena connected August 17, the squad announced Wednesday, making Bird the archetypal subordinate to beryllium honored with a statue by a WNBA franchise.

One of the astir decorated players successful hoops history, Bird spent her full 21-season vocation with the Storm, whom she helped pb to WNBA championships successful 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020. After retiring pursuing the 2022 campaign, Bird became a number proprietor successful the organization.

"For implicit 2 decades, the metropolis of Seattle supported me, some connected and disconnected the court. It's due to the fact that of this assemblage that Seattle volition everlastingly clasp a peculiar spot successful my heart. This statue isn't conscionable for me, it's for anyone retired determination hoping to 1 time prosecute their passions and unrecorded retired their dreams," Bird said successful a statement. "I'm thankful to the Storm and Seattle for this honor, and can't hold to observe with my family, friends and our astonishing fans this August."

The statue unveiling ceremonial volition instrumentality spot the greeting anterior to the Storm's Sunday day tilt against the Phoenix Mercury - which the squad is tabbing its "Forever Sue Game" - and volition diagnostic remarks from Bird, Storm leadership, metropolis officials and more. Bird's statue was created by Roblatt Amrany Studio, the institution down the statues for Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez and Dave Niehaus astatine T-Mobile Park, Lenny Wilkens astatine Climate Pledge Arena and A'ja Wilson astatine South Carolina.

"Sue's bequest isn't conscionable written successful championships-it's woven into the cloth of Seattle," Storm President and CEO Alisha Valavanis said successful a statement. "Her enactment transcended hoops and helped signifier a taste shift-one that expanded who gets to lead, who gets seen and who gets celebrated."

"Today, arsenic the archetypal WNBA franchise to grant a subordinate with a statue, we observe not conscionable Sue's illustrious career, but the aboriginal she helped pave for the adjacent procreation of athletes. This statue is much than a tribute. It's a committedness that what Sue stands for volition support rising, and young people, particularly girls, volition ever spot themselves successful greatness," added Valavanis.

Bird - who earlier this twelvemonth was named the archetypal managing manager of the USA Women's National Team - was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame past period and will beryllium enshrined successful the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame aboriginal this year. The five-time Olympic golden medalist, 13-time WNBA All-Star and all-time WNBA assists person had her fig retired by the Storm successful 2023.