7. Sue Bird
Making others better is what Sue Bird has done on and off the basketball court her entire life. Like Steve Nash of the NBA, Bird would rather dish out 10 assists than score 25 points a night. She will deflect credit and assume responsibility even if it wasnt her fault; that’s what leaders do. Its not a conscious decision, that’s just the type of person she is: Selfless, humble, driven, encouraging and smart; everything the ideal point guard should be.
Already one of the greatest point guards in basketball history, Bird continues to add multiple awards and honors to her legacy on a quarterly basis. Its a proven fact; wherever Sue Bird goes, championships soon follow. She won two New York state titles in high school, two National Championships at UConn, two WNBA Championships with the Seattle Storm, and another two gold medals with USA Basketball all before her 30th birthday.
Even with all her remarkable accolades, Bird is still the kind, sweet, and thoughtful person we all know and love. She’s everybodys favorite teammate, maintains a high appreciation for her fans and habitually gives back to the community from an authentic desire to make the world better. There’s something unmistakably genuine, honest, interesting and all-around fun about Bird.
Really, doesnt that sparkle in her eye and her trademark smile say most everything you need to know?
Hometown: Syosset, NY
DOB: October 16, 1980
Height: 5’9″
Position: Guard
College: UCONN
Corporate Partner: Nike
Charitable Focus: Cancer research and awareness
Teams: US National Team, WNBA Seattle Storm, Spartak Moscow
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2010 WNBA Champion, All-WNBA Second Team
2009 WNBA All-Star Selection, Most Valuable Point Guard, Ekaterinburg International Invitational, WNBA Peak Performer Award – Assists
2008 All-WNBA Second Team, 3rd in MVP voting, USA Gold Medal Beijing
2007 WNBA All-Star Selection
2006 WNBA All-Star Selection, WNBA All-Decade Team
2005 WNBA All-Star Selection, All-WNBA First Team
2004 WNBA WNBA Champion and All-Star Selection, All-WNBA First Team, USA Gold Medal – Athens
2003 WNBA All-Star Selection, All-WNBA First Team
2002 Nancy Lieberman Award, National Championship, Naismith Award, Wade Trophy, Lowes Senior CLASS Award, Sportswoman of the Year, Big East Conference Womens Basketball Player of the Year, No.1 Pick in 2002 WNBA Draft, All-WNBA First Team, WNBA All-Star
2001 Nancy Lieberman Award
2000 Nancy Lieberman Award, National Championship
1998 WBCA All-American