However, theres another intriguing connection between New Harmony and basketball. Sue Bird has played for the Seattle Storm in the WNBA since she was drafted by them in 2002. On the other hand, 12-time WNBA All-Star Sue Birds career has just finished in 2022. She addressed it all the way back during an interview with WNBA.com: Since Ive been five, people ask me if were related, says Sue. It sounds like Sue appreciates who Larry Bird is and all he accomplished in the game. Sue and Larry Bird are truly exceptional basketball players who have achieved a lot throughout their careers and are true inspirations for future generations. Both have enjoyed some pretty unique career achievements, but ever since Sue Bird came on the scene . This article was originally published on Aug. 19, 2016, This 'Parent Trap' Actor Revealed Secret Crush On Their "Gorgeous" Co-Star, Drake Bell Blames Losing His Phone For Being Reported Missing, At 28, Toni Collette Was Filming About A Boy With A "Jaded" Hugh Grant, Anya Taylor-Joy Learned English By Watching Her Co-Star Jack Black's 'School Of Rock', Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Sue Bird and Larry Bird no doubt respect each others games and careers greatly, but there is no connection to speak of. Does it do the job? Sue Bird is likely playing in her final Olympics. They only share the same last name but are not related in any way. Sue Bird and Larry Bird both accomplished more in their respective professional basketball leagues than almost anyone else in history. Sue Bird started her college career at UConn in 1998. Social media users were quick to point out something even more interesting about them: They both have connections to French settlers in Indiana in general and New Harmony specifically. In the highest-ever rating for a college basketball game, he lost to Michigan State in a championship final, scoring 18 points. Larry Birds grandfather, Henry S. Bird, was the states first parks and conservation director. Bird announced on Twitter in June 2022 that she was going to retire at the end of the season. Five-time Olympian (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020); five-time Olympic medalist (5 golds) Owns a combined nine Olympic and . He dropped out of school, finding the adjustment between his small hometown and the large student population ofBloomingtonto be overwhelming. Larry Joe Bird was born on December 7, 1956, in West Baden Springs, Indiana. After college, the Seattle Storm picked Sue No. By 2004, the Storm had built a formidable team around Bird and the team won their first title. What is Sue Bird's role with the Seattle Storm? Never heard that before, have you? Birds parents divorced when he was in high school and his father committed suicide shortly after. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm in 2006 and has played for them ever since. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dunk or Three is a community hub created to help basketball fans learn and improve. I play basketball. Ultimately, it is fascinating to see the connection between New Harmony and basketball. It doesnt appear that there is any blood relation between Larry Bird and Sue Bird. And now that women's basketball and women's sports in general are starting to receive the mainstream media attention they've long sought, Bird has become a household name among the American public not just in WNBA circles. As a reward, she received numerous individual awards, including theNaismith College Player of the Year. Following fields are missing or incorrect: Professional Career Of Larry And Sue Bird, Here are Some of our Favourite Basketball Sneakers, How To Clean A Basketball: Step-By-Step Guide. In his senior year, Bird led Indiana State to the NCAA championship game, where they faced off against Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans. The answer is no, but you would think they were with how much the question comes up for Sue. Sue Bird was one of the biggest stories at the TokyoOlympicGames. Larrys career spanned from 1979-1992, while Sues began in 2002 and she finished her career just recently, in 2022. Meet Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, Is the movie Split based on a true story? Bird attended the University of Connecticut and played for the women's basketball team from 1998 to 2002. Rapinoe was the first openly gay woman to pose for Sports Illustrated. Sue Bird is a well-known professional basketball player who has played for the Seattle Storm in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Megan Rapinoe did not plan to propose to Sue Bird by the pool on a lazy afternoon in Antigua last fall, but Megan Rapinoe is not . She is considered one of the most successful and polarizing players in the league. Add in the fact that so many sports legends have seen their families try and follow in their footsteps, and the connections can make some sense. Susan Brigitte Bird (born October 16, 1980) is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Bird was first drafted by the Storm in the 2002 WNBA draft and is considered One of the greatest players in WNBA history. While in college, she played from 2001 to 2005. But are they anything to do with one another? You can't blame people for believing either. ", "So I told the story and I was like, 'Yeah, so you've been an honorary member of my family, you just didn't know it,'" Bird recalled. Magale Movie Release Date and Time 2023, Countdown, Cast, Trailer, and More! In 2019, she was both the World Cups Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner for top scorer and best player, respectively. We hope you enjoyed reading our blog post on whether Larry and Sue could be related! Having played into her 40s and become the only WNBA player to have won titles in three different decades, she is an iconic player within the WNBA. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top players, earning Rookie of the Year honors in his first season. . Corrie was born on 1977 August 14 to Larry and his then-wife, Janet Condra. All rights reserved. Know Everything About Aaron Dessner. Sue Bird, a legend of similar stature, is vying for her fifth straight gold medal when Team USA takes on Japan Saturday night in the Tokyo Olympics. Sue and USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe got engaged in October 2020.The pair of extraordinary athletes started dating in 2016 when they met at an event leading into the Rio Olympics, according to Popsugar. In 2019 Bird and her longtime friend Diana Taurasi was invited to the . (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, FIle), Deadly crash shuts down all lanes of I-75 north in Cobb County, Clayton County, Mableton runoff elections on April 18 | Everything you need to know, 2 tornadoes touched down in middle Georgia, Team USA's Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe's love story. In particular, Sue Birds ancestors founded New Harmony, Indiana, which serves as an important reminder that the French played a crucial role in the history of the state. The question comes up regularly on social media and by way of Google searches. Eventually, the loss to Notre Dame was the last one in her college career since she led UConn in her senior year to a 39-0 record. Larry and Sue both excelled at their respective positions and it is hard to mention the greatest WNBA point guard without mentioning Sue . In fact, it wasnt until 1895 that the first game of basketball was played with a formal rule set. Whats your name? Are the sneakers worth the price that they are being sold at? We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Under legendary coach Geno Auriemma, she won three straight NCAA championships (2000-2002). Larry Bird/Dates joined. In an interview with WNBA, Sue Bird addressed this question, quickly ending the rumors. So, while Sue and Larry Bird aren't related, there is something in both of their DNA that is very familiar. Larry Bird actually enrolled at the University of Indiana but left a month into his freshman year. Bird played at the University of Connecticut from 1998 to 2002, where she also studied communications, she said in an ESPN interview. Sue Bird. No. It is intriguing, then, that arguably two of the best of all time in both the NBA and WNBA are called Bird. You might have noticed, though, a similarity there two birds. "And he was was like, 'I'm honored. Sue and USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoegot engaged in October 2020. As a result, basketball can be traced back to New Harmony, Indiana. Female athletes, too, have stars to look up to from their side of the professional game. At 41, Bird is the oldest player in WNBA history to record a playoff double-double, ESPN reports. Sue Bird is known for her exceptional skills as a professional basketball player. Off the court, Bird was known for his quiet demeanor and his love of the game. TOKYO, Japan Boston Celtics legend and NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird was part of one of the greatest men's Olympic basketball teams ever. In addition to her success in the WNBA, Bird has also played professionally overseas in Russia and has won several championships with her teams there. Sue Bird:Totally. However, the truth is that they are not related in any way. The Celtics . Like many professional athletes, the two Birds have relentless work ethic and competitive streaks. 1 pick in the 2002 WNBA draft. Racism hurts it. Perhaps in future generations, a young basketball star sharing the Bird surname will try and convince people that both Larry and Sue are part of their family! It wasnt all about basketball though; like Larry, she had diverse interests such as softball and soccer (and of course academics). She has used her platform to promote gender and LGBTQ+ equality and has been an outspoken supporter of the WNBA. The tournament, however, made Larry a household name. They are two of the greatest basketball players ever to play the game, and their ages Sue Bird is currently 40 and Larry Bird is 64 make it conceivable that the two are father and daughter, uncle and niece, or cousins. If any. And she told Insider that, while filming, she "actually got to share that story with Larry, so that was a highlight for me. She loved getting mistaken for the Indiana native's daughter or niece, so she made a habit of stretching the truth when it came to her family tree. So, the quickest way to answer this question is no, Sue Bird and Larry Bird are NOT relatives. Be competent, be more skilful than others. Despite the shared last name, Sue Bird is not related to former pro basketball player Larry Bird. Is WNBA player Sue Bird related to Larry Bird? After retiring from basketball in 1992, Bird went on to coach the Indiana Pacers, leading them to the NBA Finals in 2000. Larry joined Indiana University Bloomington, however, stayed there only for a month. Your email address will not be published. Oh, what do you do? But as far as WNBA great Sue Bird is concerned, Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird may as well be her uncle. 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