UConn legend Sue Bird has street named after her near Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena

There’s a Jim Calhoun Way, a Diana Taurasi Way, and now, another UConn basketball legend has had a street named after her.

Drivers on their way to Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle will now pass through Sue Bird Court, after the city officially renamed a street in honor of the former Husky and Seattle Storm legend.

A ceremony was held on Monday as a section of 2nd Avenue North was renamed after Bird, whose number 10 jersey hangs in the rafters inside the nearby arena.

Bird, 43, retired from the WNBA in 2022 after a 21-year career with the Storm. She won four WNBA championships with the Storm (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020) and was a 13-time All-Star. She’s also the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists (3,234).

“You don’t grow up thinking about these types of things,” Bird told the Seattle Times Monday. “You grow up wanting to make your varsity team, wanting to get the scholarship or getting drafted — all of these little milestones along the way. It’s not until later when you have an understanding of what could be.

“Especially for a woman in sports, this isn’t commonplace. You’re starting to see … these things celebrated more. I didn’t know it was possible and that’s actually what makes this more special. I wasn’t expecting it. But now, like (Seattle Mayor Bruce) Harrell said, there might be a young girl who sees a street sign or a poster or mural and they might actually dream about that.”

Harrell also hinted that the city was considering building a statue of Bird outside the arena, according to the Times.

“I don’t want to start rumors, but that’s in the realm of possibilities,” he told the newspaper.