Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. And LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that’s headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end.
Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team that they played on — dubbed the “Redeem Team,” the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball’s men’s program.
Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.
Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
“When the call comes and in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone,” Anthony said on the televised announcement. “You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, ‘You’re in.’ And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.”
Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami’s path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years.
“For some, this is an individual honor,” Arison said. “But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together.”
The Redeem Team’s selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince.
The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball’s place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points.
“USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “The Redeem Team’s celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men’s Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals.”
UConn’s women’s program already had coach Geno Auriemma, Swin Cash (enshrined as a player) and Rebecca Lobo (enshrined as a contributor) in the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Moore going in together will obviously add to what’s always a huge weekend in New England.
“They’re hall of famers for me, they’re hall of famers for their family, they’re hall of famers for everybody — they’re even hall of famers for UConn haters,” Auriemma said. “That’s one thing they can all agree on.”

bird-fowles-moore-2025-hof

Bird, Fowles, Moore Highlight Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-179324" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS.png" alt="" width="1440" height="510" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS.png 1440w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS-300x106.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS-1024x363.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/07/COVERIMAGE_SZNSUCESS-768x272.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" />
NEW YORK, July 14, 2023 – The WNBA is on record pace for viewership, attendance, digital consumption, and merchandise as the league heads into the 2023 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Game in Las Vegas, which will be held at Michelob ULTRA Arena, on Saturday, July 15 and airing on ABC at 5:30 p.m. PT (8:30 p.m. ET). As the league enters the midway point of its 27th season, the memorable performance of WNBA players on the court has led to viewership growth across its national television partners – ABC, CBS, ESPN, and ESPN2 – and double-digit growth for attendance and digital consumption over last year.
Highlights from the season so far include:
<ul>
<li>ON-THE-COURT: WNBA players continue to deliver record performances on the court, which include:</li>
<li>An explosion of 40-point games by players featuring seven this season through Sunday, July 9, more than twice the previous high of three which was accomplished in three different seasons. (Breanna Stewart 45 and 43; Rhyne Howard 43; DeWanna Bonner, Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale 41 each, and Kelsey Plum 40).</li>
<li>Howard became the second youngest player (23 years, 64 days) in WNBA history to score 40 or more points in a game, trailing only Candace Parker (40 points on July 9, 2008, at 22 years, 81 days). In the process, Howard also became the youngest WNBA player to record 40 or more points and at least five made three-point shots in a game.</li>
<li>Aliyah Boston became the eighth rookie selected to start the All-Star Game and the first since 2014 (Chamique Holdsclaw, 1999; Sue Bird and Tamika Catchings, 2002; Maya Moore, 2011; Elena Delle Donne and Brittney Griner, 2013; and Shoni Schimmel, 2014). She also was named the league’s Rookie of the Month in May and June.</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart became the fastest player to eclipse 4,000 career points.</li>
<li>Diana Taurasi, already the only WNBA player to eclipse the 8,000-point and 9,000-point plateaus, is nearing 10,000 career points. Entering the All-Star break, she has 9,914 and needs 86 more to reach 10,000.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>VIEWERSHIP: Combined viewership for the WNBA across its national networks (ABC, CBS, ESPN, ESPN2) is up 67 percent over last year, averaging 556,184 viewers. Currently this season is pacing to be the most-watched regular season across the league’s networks in over 20 years (2002). Additional viewership highlights for this season include:</li>
<li>The Dallas Wings vs. the Los Angeles Sparks game on ABC was the most viewed game this season, averaging 733,000 viewers, on Sunday, June 25.</li>
<li>The Phoenix Mercury vs. the New York Liberty game on CBS was the most viewed game on CBS, averaging 694,000 viewers, on Sunday, June 18.</li>
<li>The Las Vegas Aces vs. the Seattle Storm on ABC was the most viewed opening weekend game on any network since 2012 averaging 684,000 viewers on Saturday, May 20.</li>
<li>The Phoenix Mercury vs. the Los Angeles Sparks game was the most-watched regular season game on cable in 24 years and the most-viewed opening day on ESPN network in 11 years, averaging 683,000 viewers on ESPN, on Friday, May 19.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>ATTENDANCE: WNBA attendance is up 27 percent this season through the same number of games compared to last year with more than 787,000 fans attending 2023 regular season games this season. Currently, this season’s attendance is pacing to be the highest average attendance since 2018. Other highlights include:</li>
<li>The highest attended WNBA game this season marked the return of Britney Griner to Phoenix with 14,040 fans in attendance to see the Mercury take on the Chicago Sky on Sunday, May 21.</li>
<li>The Seattle Storm retired Sue Bird’s jersey in an emotional ceremony on Sunday, June 11, with 13,213 fans in attendance for its game against the Washington Mystics, marking the second highest attended game this season.</li>
<li>The first WNBA Canada Game presented by Tangerine, which saw the Chicago Sky defeat the Minnesota Lynx, 82-74, in a preseason game, was played before a sold-out crowd of approximately 20,000 fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday, May 13.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>RECORD REVENUE: The WNBA has achieved double-digit growth for partnership revenue this year, which is at an all-time 27-year high, season to date.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>MERCHANDISE: The league has seen a surge in merchandise sales this season. Overall sales of WNBA merchandise at the NBA Store in New York are up 78 percent versus this season compared to the same time last year. In addition, sales of merchandise at Dick&#8217;s Sporting Goods are up 68 percent compared to the same time last season.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>WNBA APP: Since the WNBA launched the digital transformation of its app at the start of the season, WNBA App monthly active users have grown 147 percent over last year.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT: The WNBA is on a record pace for video views across all its social media platforms with 155 million video views halfway through the season, which is 84 percent of the total video views the league amassed for the entire 2022 regular season (186 million in 2022).</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>WNBA LEAGUE PASS: The league’s out-of-market live game package has experienced a 19 percent growth in subscriptions so far this season vs. the same point last year.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

wnba-mid-season-analytics

WNBA Heads Into AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star on Record Pace for Viewership, Attendance, and Digital Consumption

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-top-banner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full" /> 
				</figure>
A collection of sponsorship deals, endorsements, and announcements to reveal milestones that these players are achieving.
As players and fans settle into the off-season, there&#8217;s been a temporary pause in action-packed moments from games being shared online. The &#8220;quieter&#8221; coverage of the WNBA allows original, player-created content to shine, but their recent business-related moves are often overshadowed by sports-related coverage. Combining their growing popularity with diverse personal styles, players use an entrepreneurial approach when taking their public image beyond the realm of sports or innovating upon traditional athlete deals. 
While many players head overseas to play during their off-season, other players are inspired to think out of the box by learning new trades or hustling to negotiate brand deals. The last few years of the WNBA have revealed an increasing number of players who are joining prestigious sportswear &#8220;families,&#8221; and there are actually even more WNBA players with brand deals than fans would expect: a <a href="https://sponsorunited.com/women-sports-2022-report/">2022 study on female professional athletes</a> and collegiate NIL athletes found that 3,500 brands bought a total of 5,650 sponsorships in 14 different leagues. 
Navigating traditional sports-related deals, as well as contemporary fashion, beauty, and wellness brands, the rise of entrepreneurship helps players in reaching audiences outside of basketball. When stylish brands like Glossier and Savage x Fenty select players as their brand ambassadors, it confirms that WNBA stars are inspirational figures who can influence non-sports fans. While partnership deals across women’s sports have increased <a href="https://sponsorunited.com/women-sports-2022-report/">20% year-over-year across major U.S. sports</a> (LPGA, NWSL, WNBA, WTA), there&#8217;s a large opportunity for more non-sports brands to invest in female athletes. 
Presenting a summary of innovative deals and unconventional business announcements from WNBA players, this article is the first in a two-part series that explores athlete image. From major, multi-year contracts with leading sportswear brands to custom content in brand ambassador deals, the diverse expressions of these players reflect in their entrepreneurial journeys. Next week, check back for a second article that analyzes these deals through exclusive brand and player insights. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-166251 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
&nbsp;
Moolah Kicks Launches Two Stylish Players as Brand Ambassadors
Founded in 2020 by Boston College graduate Natalie White, and Moolah<a href="https://www.instagram.com/moolahkicks/"> Kicks</a> is the first basketball sneaker brand built exclusively for women. On October 20, 2022, they signed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dh3nny/">Destanni Henderson</a> of the Indiana Fever as one of its first ambassadors for the new Neovolt Pro shoe. Recently, on November 22, 2022, Moolah Kicks also signed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneywilliams10/">Courtney Williams</a> of the Connecticut Sun; both players will hoop in the Neovolt Pro in the 2023 WNBA season. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166250" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-2-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Allisha Gray Embarks on a Restaurant Venture 
On September 28, 2022, Dallas Wings player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/graytness_15/">Allisha Gray</a> went on <a href="https://twitter.com/graytness_15/status/1573450229525155840">Twitter</a> to announce her exciting off-season purchase: a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wnbfactory_official/">WNB Factory</a> franchise in Milledgeville, GA. Although Gray isn&#8217;t from Milledgeville, she is an alumna of Washington County High School in nearby Sandersville. While sports fans frequently travel to athlete-owned restaurants, Gray joins a short list of WNBA restaurant owners that includes Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Deanna Nolan, Alana Beard, Marissa Coleman, and Angel McCoughtry.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166249" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-3-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Two Rising Star Players Named to Forbes 30 Under 30
Across the buzzy <a href="https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2022/sports">Forbes 30 Under 30</a> on Tuesday, Dallas Wings player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arike_ogunbowale/">Arike Ogunbowale</a> and New York Liberty player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_i/">Sabrina Ionescu</a> were honored on its Sports List. Ogunbowale&#8217;s feature on Forbes mentions her work as a founding member of LeBron James’ ‘More Than a Vote’ initiative and as an investor in Just Women’s Sports. At 25 years old, Ogunbowale has also exhibited on-court excellence at Notre Dame and as a WNBA All-Star. Ionescu’s feature pays respects to her first All-Star recognition, as well as her work as an ambassador for Boardroom, Kevin Durant’s media company, and as a strategic partner with Durant’s Thirty-Five Ventures. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166252" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-4-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Chiney Ogwumike Co-launches the Women’s International Pickleball Association 
During the espnW Women + Sports Summit on November 2, 2022, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chiney/">Chiney Ogwumike</a> of the Los Angeles Sparks announced the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wipapickleball/">Women’s International Pickleball Association</a>. Alongside co-founders Rachel Hong, pickleball pro, and Allison Galer, Disrupt the Game president, Ogwumike spoke about empowering aspiring women athletes in the sport. The WIPA notes that it’s one of the fastest-growing games in the world, and with Ogwumike&#8217;s input, the group will create an ecosystem for serving success. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166253" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-5-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Sabrina Ionescu Returns to UO as Director of Athletic Culture
Taking on a part-time job for the off-season, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_i/">Sabrina Ionescu</a> of the New York Liberty has been named as the Director of Athletic Culture at the University of Oregon. Working with the Oregon Ducks&#8217; women&#8217;s basketball coach Kelly Graves, Ionescu will aid with student-athlete development, as well as work as a resource for current and future students. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166254" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-6-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Kelsey Plum Joins the Under Armour Roster 
Announced on November 2, Las Vegas Aces player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelseyplum10/">Kelsey Plum</a> made waves on social media with news that she&#8217;s joining the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/underarmour/">Under Armour</a> roster of athletes. Sharing a passion for growing the game for the next generation of women in sports, Plum and Under Armour strive to achieve more than the standard brand partnership. While Plum previously signed a multi-year agreement with Nike in 2017, her stellar performance has made her a highly coveted player for any brand. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166247" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-7-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Han Xu Receives Official Co-Signs from Nike and Glossier 
This week, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hanxu_521/">Han Xu</a> of the New York Liberty announced that she&#8217;s a Nike athlete. As the first Chinese player drafted to the WNBA in 22 years, Han is in a unique position to increase WNBA&#8217;s fanbase in China. Shared on the <a href="https://www.thenexthoops.com/features/locked-on-womens-basketball-fiba-womens-world-cup-final-draws-record-eyes/">Locked on Women’s Basketball podcast</a>, the final game in the FIBA Women&#8217;s World Cup between USA and China was up 227% with an average of 446,000 viewers. Earlier in October, Han also made a rare Instagram post announcing that she&#8217;s also a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/glossier/">Glossier</a> partner. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166255" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-8-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
Breanna Stewart Utilizes the Benefits of Therabody
Under a multiyear deal with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therabody/">Therabody</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/breannastewart30/">Breanna Stewart</a> of the Seattle Storm has shared work-out and recovery tips as an athlete ambassador. Apart from creating original content, Stewart previously invested in Therabody during the company’s funding round, joining investors like Kevin Durant and James Harden. While Stewart has used Therabody after her Achilles surgery, she&#8217;s also spoken out about its benefits during her periods and raised awareness for the impact of menstrual symptoms on female athletes.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-166256" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/wnba-entrepaneurship-9-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707" />
DiJonai Carrington Creates Content for Savage x Fenty Deal
Beginning in January of 2022, Connecticut Sun player <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dijonai__/">DiJonai Carrington</a> has maintained an endorsement deal with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/savagexfenty">Savage X Fenty</a>. Creating original content of herself in the brand&#8217;s garments, Carrington joins an elite rank of traditional style influencers who represent the energy of Rihanna’s lingerie brand. Carrington mentions her endorsement deal in a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/24/sports/basketball/wnba-style-fashion-marketing.html">New York Times article</a> on marketing in the W before revealing her game-day beauty routine. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-166263 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2023/01/Aari-1.png" alt="" width="2100" height="1500" />
Aari McDonald returns to Arizona as Director of Recruiting Operations
Atlanta Dream guard <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarimcdonald/?hl=en">Aari McDonald</a> will return to her alma mater and work with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/arizonawbasketball/?hl=en">Arizona</a>&#8216;s women&#8217;s basketball team as their Director of Recruiting Operations. Rather than venturing overseas, McDonald will be on-campus during the offseason. McDonald expressed her excitement about the opportunity to go back to Tuscon on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkUqxZ1gqz1/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=">Instagram</a>.
*This article highlights a select few players and does does not represent all players that have created marketing deals.
WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle &amp; fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

the-w-in-designer-exploring-athlete-image-in-the-off-season-part-i

The W in Designer: Exploring Athlete Image in the Off-Season (Part I)

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird-topbanner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full" /> 
				</figure>
Discover how the Seattle Storm guard&#8217;s style has changed since entering the league in 2002.  
After an exciting series of WNBA semifinal matchups, the Seattle Storm experienced a loss to the Las Vegas Aces. As the team&#8217;s star players start to plan their offseason, the entire league says its final goodbye to guard Sue Bird. With players wearing throwback jerseys, everyone is celebrating the legendary and her 21-year career. Bird has been a star player since entering the league in 2002&#8211; she&#8217;s played in 13 WNBA All-Star games, 5 Olympics competitions and set new records with each season. Within Bird&#8217;s legacy, she&#8217;s also led the charge in making the league cooler by bringing stronger street-inspired style each season. 
Studying Bird&#8217;s style, she&#8217;s instantly recognizable on the court for her long, tied-back brown hair, which has been a signature of the player since she was a teen. The evolution of Bird&#8217;s extremely confident approach to pre-game fashion improves with each season in the league and reflects important aspects of Bird&#8217;s personal life, like when she officially came out in 2017. Fans can look back on Bird&#8217;s style to understand her move away from traditional styles and her journey to finding her true swag through powerful androgynous styles, eye-catching patterns, and rare pairs of sneakers. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-164579 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2002-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2002: Sue Bird enters the league with the Seattle Storm as the first overall pick in the 2002 WNBA draft. Gaining attention in her college career while playing for the University of Connecticut, Bird has a strong sense of how she wants to present herself as a professional athlete. Bird wears popular fashion trends of the early ‘00s with asymmetrical tops, scrunchy cotton basics, and striped patterns. Although Bird has been tying her hair up for games since she was a teenager, her hair is generally shorter in her earliest seasons in the league.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-164580 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2004-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2004: After participating in her first Olympics in 2004, Bird starts off with a strong season with the Seattle Storm. While fighting to advance in the WNBA Western Conference Finals, she broke her nose in the first half while blocking Minnesota’s Teresa Edwards. Bird decides to play the first two games against the Sacramento Monarchs while wearing a face mask to protect her broken nose. To show their support, fans wear stickers shaped like nose bandages that say &#8220;Sue Bird&#8221; and create an epic fan-style moment.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-164581 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2007-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2007: Bird first played for Russia on the Dynamo Moscow in the 2004-2005 WNBA off-season and returned to the same team for the 2005-2006 off-season. She helps her team to reach the Russian championship and the EuroLeague women’s playoffs. Returning to Russia for the 2006-2007 off-season, Bird plays for the Spartak Moscow team with Diana Taurasi. Bird&#8217;s frequent stints in Europe add an urban edge to her style, and she&#8217;s seen in faded jeans and embellished graphic T-shirts.  
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-164582 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2010-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2010: The Seattle Storm earn their second WNBA Championship title with Bird&#8217;s help on the team. Bird also helps her team to win the FIBA World Cup, fueling the fan&#8217;s craze for the legendary guard. Bird&#8217;s style in 2010 includes jeans, but she begins to pair them with more mature tops like cardigans and button-up shirts. She wears heels after winning the Championship and also keeps comfy in Toms during pre-game moments. Her signature accessories include a watch with a brown leather strap and ultra sleek tied-back hair. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-164583 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2013-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2013: After an impressive win at the 2012 Olympics, Bird decides to sit out the 2013 WNBA season due to upcoming knee surgery. The Seattle Storm is forced to play its first full season with Bird, but she manages to cheer on her team from the sidelines. Bird begins to get more experimental with her wardrobe by introducing bright, white jeans and strappy sandals. During these years, Bird&#8217;s wardrobe includes a lot of brown colors and a neutral color palette. After completing a tour in Europe, it seems like Bird can make any sports uniform look super cool.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-164585 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2015-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
&nbsp;
2015: 2015 marks Bird’s 13th season playing as a guard for the Seattle Storm and her 9th WNBA All-Star appearance, which signals her growing player legacy. Bird keeps her wardrobe fairly simple, gravitating back to neutral-colored pairs of slim jeans, plain cotton tops, and pairs of high-top Converse sneakers. Along with a longer hairstyle, Bird introduces blazers into her pre-game outfits, which is a precursor for the exaggerated, statement blazers she&#8217;s been wearing this season. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-164589 size-large" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2018-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2018: Bird suffers another broken nose after accidentally getting hit in the face with teammate Breanna Stewart&#8217;s elbow, which brings back Bird&#8217;s masked in-game look. Off the court, Bird begins to incorporate leather jackets, varsity jackets and brightly colored graphic T-shirts, which are all elements of her current style. Throughout the season, Bird is also seen in multiple pairs of the newly released OFF-WHITE x Nike sneakers, like this pair of black Zoom Fly sneakers. Her style also begins to push towards modern, androgynous styles instead of following conventional fashion trends.  
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-164590" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2019-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2019: Leading up to Bird&#8217;s engagement announcement with Megan Rapinoe in 2020, she makes frequent appearances with the powerful soccer player by her side. Bird starts to wear more pairs of Nike Dunks, Nike Blazers and other sneakers in her growing collection. Missing part of the season after undergoing another knee surgery, her off-court fashion begins to incorporate an even sportier edge with classic track jackets and patterned tops. It&#8217;s hard to imagine Bird without all the eye-catching patterns that define her best pre-game looks in her most recent seasons. 
&nbsp;
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-164591" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2021-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2021: Bird increases her presence at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by becoming the Team USA flag bearer. As COVID-19 regulations increase, Bird becomes one of the earliest players to incorporate masks in a stylish way that color coordinates with each of her pre-game looks. Although it&#8217;s unconfirmed if Bird was working with a stylist in the 2021 season, she quickly solidified her reputation as one of the league&#8217;s most fashion-forward players. She incorporates rare sneakers, funky colors, and designer brands like Gucci and CELINE into her wardrobe. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-164592" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/suebird2022-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" />
2022: Partnering with stylist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneydmays/">Courtney Mays</a>, Bird finds her best style in her final season with the Seattle Storm. She began to go viral online for her head-to-toe outfits in unusual patterns, dramatic color blocking, and oversized, structured blazers. Throughout the season, her go-to accessory becomes tinted pairs of sunglasses. Her sneakers have become even rarer as more media outlets begin to pick up on Bird&#8217;s growing sneakerhead reputation. After winning four WNBA championships, Bird is helping the Seattle Storm advance through the Semifinals in her final season.  
WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle &amp; fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

the-w-in-designer-sue-birds-style-evolution

The W In Designer: Sue Bird’s Style Evolution

Thank you, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sbird10/?hl=en">Sue Bird,</a> for a legendary career and your contributions to the #WNBA

honoring-sue-birds-legacy

Honoring Sue Bird's Legacy

Playoff Post-game press conferences with select players and head coaches from Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm in Game 4 in the Semi-Finals of the WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google

aces-storm-postgame-press-conference-game-4

Aces @ Storm Postgame Press Conference – Game 4

The Las Vegas Aces advance to their second Finals appearance in the past three years thanks to a historic performance by Chelsea Gray.

game-recap-aces-97-storm-92

Game Recap: Aces 97, Storm 92

Sue Bird shares her feelings after playing the final game of her storied WNBA career.

sue-bird-so-thankful-for-20-years-here

Sue Bird: 'So thankful for 20 years here'

Post-game press conference with select players and head coaches from Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm in Game 3 in the Second Round of the WNBA Playoffs Presented by Google

aces-storm-postgame-press-conference-game-3

Aces @ Storm Postgame Press Conference - Game 3

<figure class="wp-image size-full">
					<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image- size-full" /> 
				</figure>
The 2022 season is reaching its most heated stage as the playoffs round out, with the final four teams dueling out for a shot at the WNBA Finals. There’s a bittersweetness in knowing the summer of competition is coming to a close, but this year has thrown in an extra dash of the bitter.
Three greats in the history of the W are walking away after the season. 
<a class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.wnba.com/news/sylvia-fowles-strategic-and-genuine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sylvia Fowles</a>, one of the greatest to set foot on the hardwood, has already played her final game. We may never see a player quite like the 2017 MVP and four-time Defensive Player of the Year again.
Briann January was a stalwart perimeter defender and a key cog in numerous deep playoff teams, though she still is in the thick of the postseason with Seattle.
To call Sue Bird an icon and legend in sports somehow doesn’t fully capture the spirit of what she’s brought to the WNBA and women’s basketball.
I was in preschool the last time Bird wasn’t in the league. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the original Sam Raimi Spider-Man were in theaters. The Grizzlies were rounding out their first season after relocating to Memphis. Alicia Keys took home five awards at The Grammys (RIGHTFULLY), including Best New Artist. 
Four WNBA titles, Five Olympic Gold Medals, Five Euroleague titles, Eight All-WNBA Team selections, and many other awards highlight Bird’s on-court success and contributions.
Bird’s career has spanned nearly a quarter-century in the W, a remarkable feat of longevity and endurance. It isn’t easy to picture basketball without her. 
Even before my own association with the league, Bird has been a staple in the backdrop of my life. I’ve known who she is since I could first really grasp sports as a child. Waking up and watching Sportscenter every morning, reading the daily headlines, and keeping myself fully invested in sports rarely did a week pass without reinforcing who Sue Bird is and her greatness on the court.
The way Bird plays the game is so fascinating; she’s adapted her game over the years as her physical abilities have changed, but she’s primarily embodied the same principles within her archetype as a player. Modern and innovative basketball has coursed through her veins since her time at UCONN.
While the W has long been ruled by posts and interior play, she etched her name in stone through her court vision, playmaking feel, and shot-making. Every aspect of her game intertwines as one of the premier pick and roll operators the sport has seen.
Bird is often remembered for her playmaking, and rightfully as we’ll get into, but I’m not sure quite enough is made of just how incredible of a shooter she is. The second leading Player in W history in both three-point attempts and makes, Bird has launched nearly six threes per 40 minutes throughout her career at a 39.2% clip, according to Her Hoop Stats. Her efficacy and volume have only risen as the years have passed.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164345" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Off-ball.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
Her shot is compact, fluid, and swift. Her footwork and angling, taking immaculate paths to her spot, has made her a deadly threat moving without the ball in her hands throughout her career. Sue Bird running off screens from any which way in a myriad of sets has been a foundational piece of Seattle’s offense regardless of who the coach has been.
Her quick relocation and pinpoint movements to garner more open looks are pivotal to overwhelming shooting gravity. So many of her shots have this boomerang nature; she rarely stops and holds the ball. Even though she doesn’t penetrate the paint and generate interior touches as she did in her prime, her ability to bend the margins with quick defense processing stands out even more now.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164346" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Relocation.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
Notice how Napheesa Collier sinks down to help on Breanna Stewart in the post after initially thwarting the Stewart/Bird pick and roll, denying a pull-up three or pass to the roller. Bird flips the ball as soon as the action dies and then drifts to the left to force a longer and more awkward closeout, taking advantage of Stewart’s gravity to boost her own. 
It seems minute, but that routine shifting and movement away from the play is a significant part of what makes Bird such a high-level offensive player. Her fit has been seamless with numerous quality post players because of her ability to blend her game and play off of them.
Clutch shots are in her DNA, a definite factor in Seattle’s longtime success in the regular and postseason.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-164347 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Clutch.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
She always feels on balance even when it doesn’t seem possible to be so.
In my eyes, her pull-up shooting is what bends the game in her favor and most unlocks and amplifies her playmaking.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164348" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Pull-Up.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
She’s not quite the same threat pulling from behind screens as she once was, as the threat of her knifing into the paint isn’t the same. Yet, going underneath a screen for Bird still feels like a catastrophic gamble in 2022.
Quick-hitter pitch plays, immediate screens as far out to 30 feet, and calling in her own number in transition have been vital parts of her offense in the last half-decade of Storm basketball and pillars of the Bird/Stewart era. While they’ve typically been a team that plays at an average pace of play or slightly lower in that time frame, their ability to rip, run, and go off-kilter keeps defenses honest and guessing.
Extending the defense as far out as possible is what opens up the angles and lanes for one of the greatest playmakers in basketball history.
You’ve probably seen this one, but I’d be remiss not to show it again, because, come on.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164349" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Behind-Head.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
She has an innate sense of where everyone, her own teammates and defenders, are on the court at all times. That court-mapping and awareness open the door for the audacity in her game as a passer. I can count on both hands the number of players who so effortlessly hit no looks, real no looks that actually manipulate the defense, so routinely.
Kickaheads in transition are her wheelhouse. Catching defenders with an up-fake or hesitation and then diming up a cutting teammate to the basket; is also her bread and butter. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164350" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Dime.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
Her ability to hit every pick and roll pass afforded by the defense, cycle through reads in but a moment, and craft the best looks possible never ceases to amaze.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-164351" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/09/Sue-Pick-and-Roll.gif" alt="" width="600" height="338" />
It’s incredibly odd to think that I won’t see a Sue Bird pass I haven’t seen before by late September. There’s an uncomfortable feeling of each assist, each basket, each moment where you count it down “well, how many more of those are left?”
I don’t mean that in a somber or depressing sense, but it’s in the same vein of what it felt like watching Sylvia Fowles’ final game, “That’s probably the last time I’ll see her make an awesome help-side contest at the rim. Is there another opportunity for her to expertly blow up a pick and roll despite playing one on two?”
Witnessing the dwindling moments of a career you could never quite picture ending is odd. In some ways, it’s special because it makes us rewind and remember. It makes us appreciate the small things more in the moment. A Sue Bird behind the back means more to me the next week and change than it has in the past few years of my enjoying the game.
At least for me, watching greatness is something I have to remind myself of. I have to bring myself back into reality and go, “hey, this stuff isn’t normal!” as I watch the greatest players put forth incredible feats with a regularity that shouldn’t exist, but that’s what makes them great.
It’s easy to take for granted the routine, so I find it imperative to remember that the routine is only such at the highest level because of that same greatness. I find myself so rooted in Candace Parker’s otherworldly postseason play, even more so than I would’ve been a few years ago. I would’ve been able to notice in the moment what she was doing was incredible regardless of age. Still, each mention of her being 36 and the ambiguity of her future in the league keeps me focused on the present.
I don’t know how many more assists, triples, or iconic moments Bird has left in the W. I don’t know if she’ll make one last Finals as the Storm seek to return for the third time in five seasons. I do know that I’ll be glued to my television, soaking in every minute Bird sees the court in her final postseason run.
Her place in history is forever cemented as one of the all-time greats in basketball, a pioneer who helped pave the way for the league’s growth, and an icon of individual and team success.
WNBA reporter Mark Schindler writes a column on <a class="editor-rtfLink" href="http://wnba.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at @MG_Schindler. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

LatestSue Bird