Basketball icon Sue Bird has been announced as an inductee into the 2026 FIBA Hall of Fame. Bird’s illustrious career, spanning over two decades, includes leading Team USA to four FIBA Women’s World Cup titles and earning five straight Olympic gold medals. In the WNBA, she secured four championships with the Seattle Storm in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020. Among her many honors, Bird will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025, and her jersey number 10 will be retired at UConn. She also made history as the first managing director of Team USA Basketball Women’s National Team.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class, which will be celebrated in Berlin, Germany on April 21, 2026, will include six players and one coach. Notable inductees alongside Bird are NBA star Dirk Nowitzki, Celine Dumerc, Hedo Türkoğlu, Clarice Macianguana, Wang Gigi, Ismenia Paushar, and coach Ludwik Mienta-Mikołajewicz.
Previous FIBA Hall of Fame classes have honored many legendary figures, with inductees such as Dawn Staley, Mike Krzyzewski, Pau Gasol, Lisa Leslie, and Steve Nash.
Fan Take: Sue Bird’s induction is a monumental moment for WNBA fans, highlighting the incredible impact she’s had on the sport globally. This recognition not only cements her legacy but also shines a spotlight on women’s basketball, inspiring future generations and elevating the game’s prominence worldwide.
