Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese might be the most followed and talked-about athletes in the WNBA, but Sue Bird also has a huge fan following, even before the ‘social media era’. The five-time Olympic gold medalist was in the Climate Pledge Arena for the Seattle Storm vs. Indiana Fever match.
When fans saw her on the big screen at the center of the arena during a timeout, they gave their iconic player a fitting welcome.
Fans At Climate Pledge Arena Give Heartfelt Welcome To Sue Bird
When the retired star was asked to rank her championships, she ranked her first title with the Seattle franchise as her most memorable one. Later, she ranked her UConn title and USA Gold medal. This shows her love for the franchise and the fanbase. But the respect is mutual.
When she appeared on the mega jumbotron in the Seattle home court, the crowd gave her a thunderous standing ovation. She acknowledged every clap and waved at the fans. The big screen also ended the slide with the words ‘Forever Sue’, an emotion that was close to every Storm fan.
The players also gave her a game to remember. Both teams matched each other till the final minutes of the match. Kelsey Mitchell drained a dagger mid-range shot that nearly sealed the game for the visitors. But there was a Seattle star who registered a record on the night when the franchise legend was in the building
Dominique Malonga became the youngest star to score 100+ points and grab 100+ rebounds in the league. She achieved the feat at the age of 19 years and 260 days. The team will look to the icon for inspiration as it pushes for the playoffs.
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Sue Bird’s Legacy At Seattle Storm
While the star guard hung up her shoes three seasons ago, she still remains a fan favorite in the franchise. She spent her whole career (21 seasons) at the Western Conference challengers and won four titles with the team. She stands first in the league for the most titles with a single franchise.
Also, she still remains the team’s leading assist maker, earning a record 13 All-Star selections. The franchise is already setting her statue outside the Climate Pledge Arena, making her the first WNBA star to have a statue outside a WNBA arena.
Also Read: Skylar Diggins Breaks Sue Bird’s Assist Record As Team Collier Dominates WNBA All-Star Game