Sue Bird Career News Emerges on Sunday

On World Basketball Day, FIBA unveiled its Hall of Fame Class of 2026, honoring legends from across the basketball world. The list includes names from the NBA and WNBA and recognizes both players and coaches whose work shaped the global game. NBA star Dirk Nowitzki and WNBA star Sue Bird headline the class, which will be enshrined on April 21 in Berlin, Germany.

Bird's induction caps a career defined by team success and sustained excellence. Bird was the "heart and soul of the USA women's team" from 2002 until her international retirement at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She helped the United States win five consecutive Olympic gold medals and four FIBA Women's World Cup titles. She is a four-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm.

Bird's resume also includes major recognitions off the court. She was a 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. In May, she was named the "first-ever managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team." Those roles underline her influence on the sport beyond playing.