The statue is the latest honor for the 44-year-old former WNBA star, who retired in 2022 and was named as the first managing director for USA Woman’s National Team earlier this year. The five-time Olympic gold medalist and 13-time WNBA All-Star will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September.

Seattle Storm will honour WNBA legend Sue Bird with a statue outside Climate Pledge Arena on August 17, a historic first for the league. Bird, a four-time WNBA champion with the Storm, will be the first WNBA player to receive this tribute from her team.

Bird also ranks in the Top 10 in the WNBA's all-time scoring list with 6,803 career points. On Thursday, however, the 44-year-old lost her previous spot on the esteemed list as former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike rewrote the history books.