Seattle Storm's Sue Bird To Retire After This Season

SEATTLE — Bittersweet news for Seattle Storm fanatics, as legendary point guard Sue Bird has announced she will be retiring at the end of the current WBNA season.

"I’ve decided this will be my final year," Bird announced via Twitter. I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first."

Bird, 41, first joined the Storm back in 2002 and has been a mainstay ever since, guiding the team on its way to four WNBA championships. Bird also holds five Olympic gold medals for basketball. Her latest, won at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, made her one of only two basketball players to ever win five gold medals.

Bird's announcement has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and teammates.

"Sue Bird is Storm basketball," the Seattle Storm tweeted. "Every moment, every memory has one constant. No. 10. It’s time for the final chapter."

The 2022 WNBA season began on May 6. It will wrap on August 14. At the time of this writing, the Storm is fourth in the season standings with 9 wins, and 5 losses.