“She Was Somebody I Aspired to Be”: Paige Bueckers on Sue Bird’s Legacy as Seattle Storm Unveil Statue

Rashad MillerAugust 20, 2025August 20, 2025no comment

Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings, WNBA, Washington Mystics

Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

As a bronze statue was unveiled Sunday to honor Sue Bird, her legacy was reflected in the words of those she inspired. Before facing the Las Vegas Aces, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers spoke about the impact the Hall of Famer has had on her career and life.

For Bueckers, 23, Bird has long been the model. The decision to attend UConn was, in part, a tribute to the path Bird set years earlier.

“She was somebody I aspired to be when I was young and growing up,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “I followed in her footsteps to UConn, and I’m following in her footsteps again by making it to the WNBA.”

Leadership as a Standard

Bueckers said Bird’s influence goes beyond trophies and accolades.

“The way she brings people together… She demands a lot, but she supports you and challenges you at the same time,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “That’s something I really admire and something I want to embody as a player myself.”

She added that Bird’s mentorship has been invaluable.

“She’s just been there every single time I reached out with questions,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She has been a huge part of my development—not just as a player, but as a person.”

Sue Bird’s Lasting Imprint

Bird’s career with the Seattle Storm stretched from 2002 to 2022, producing four WNBA championships. She retired as the league’s all-time assists leader, a 13-time All-Star, and a five-time Olympic gold medalist. She is the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades.

Seattle has celebrated her with a retired jersey, a street in her name, and now, the WNBA’s first player statue outside Climate Pledge Arena.

Her impact has been felt far beyond the stat sheet. Bird redefined leadership in women’s basketball, setting a model of accountability, toughness, and selflessness that influenced a generation of players.

From UConn to the Pros

At UConn, Bird won two national championships and helped establish the Huskies’ dynasty. Her example shaped Bueckers’ path from Storrs to the WNBA.

Bueckers has often credited Bird for supporting her through injuries and setbacks. Bird even consoled her after UConn’s loss in the 2022 NCAA title game, offering perspective on the highs and lows of competition.

As Bird’s likeness was unveiled in bronze, the moment marked more than a tribute to a career. For players such as Bueckers, it underscored a standard they strive to uphold every time they step on the court.