WNBA legend Sue Bird retiring after this season

WNBA legend and the league's all-time assists leader Sue Bird announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of the 2022 season.

«I've decided this will be my final year,» Bird posted on social media. «I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first.»

I've decided this will be my final year. I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first ☺️ <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheFinalYear?src=hash&ref_src=» https: www.espn.com>#TheFinalYear

<a href=«https://twitter.com/seattlestorm?ref_src=» https: www.espn.com>@seattlestorm pic.twitter.com/Uo2YqCCKUD

Bird previously said she considered retiring after the 2021 campaign, but she signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Storm, where she has played her entire 21-year WNBA career, this offseason and didn't commit to anything until now.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2002, Bird is a four-time WNBA champion with the Storm and a five-time Olympic gold medalist with USA Basketball. She won two NCAA championships with UConn.