Four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird to return for 19th season

The fans asked (or, rather, chanted). Sue Bird listened.

The four-time champion and 12-time WNBA All-Star announced on Instagram on Friday that she will return for a 19th season. At 41, she considered retiring following the Storm's playoff exit in 2021 but will instead lace them up for one last ride.

It's not yet official whether or not Bird will return to Seattle, as she's currently a free agent, but it's hard to imagine her playing anywhere else. It's where she's spent her entire career. She also tagged the Storm in her announcement post, and the Storm tweeted a congratulatory graphic before deleting it not long after.

Bird has averaged 12 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game over her career, including averages of 10/2.6/5.3 in 2021. She currently ranks first all time in assists with 3,048 and seventh all time in points with 6,561.

She's also led the Storm to WNBA championships in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020 while racking up five All-WNBA First Team Awards. She's also impressed on the international stage, winning five Olympic gold medals (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020) and five EuroLeague championships (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013).

WNBA free agency begins on Jan. 15, when teams can begin to negotiate with their reserved players and free agents, but deals cannot be finalized until Feb. 1. The 2022 season is scheduled to tip off on May 6.