Sue Bird has chosen to remain with the Storm. WNBAE/Getty Images

The first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, Bird, who averaged 12.4 points per game last season and was second in the WNBA with 6.5 assists per game, will enter her third season with the Storm having started 66 consecutive games. She has been named All-WNBA First Team and a WNBA All-Star for the last two seasons.

“Sue is an amazing player who will continue to grow in this league,” Donovan said. “We look forward to having a healthy Sue this season now that her knee is back to full strength and she is training with the Olympic team. We will continue to rely on her and Lauren Jackson to lead the Storm back into playoff contention.”

On Feb. 5 Bird was selected as the ninth member of the U.S. Women’s Senior National Team for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. She also played with the U.S. Team at the 2002 World Championships in China.

“I’m thrilled to be coming back to Seattle,” Bird said. “I have fully recovered from my knee surgery and can’t wait to start another Storm season, be with my teammates again and play in front of the Storm fans at KeyArena.”

Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The Storm will open the 2004 WNBA season on Thursday, May 20 against Minnesota at KeyArena. For ticket information, click here.