The unveiling of Sue Bird’s bronze statue outside Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday was more than a celebration of a Hall of Fame career. For Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, it was another reminder of how one of basketball’s greatest leaders continues to shape her own path.
Bueckers, 23, has long been clear about who provided her model for success.
“She was somebody I aspired to be when I was young and growing up,” Bueckers told DallasHoopsJournal.com before facing the Las Vegas Aces. “I followed in her footsteps to UConn, and I’m following in her footsteps again by making it to the WNBA.”
The connection between Bird and Bueckers goes beyond shared school colors. Bird has served as a mentor since Bueckers’ college days, offering advice and perspective during critical moments.
After UConn lost the 2022 NCAA title game, Bird joined other program greats in consoling the Huskies and emphasized that heartbreak is part of every champion’s journey.
“She’s just been there every single time I reached out with questions,” Bueckers said. “She has been a huge part of my development—not just as a player, but as a person.”
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Bird retired in 2022 as the WNBA’s all-time assists leader after a career that included four championships, five Olympic gold medals, and 13 All-Star selections. She has praised Bueckers’ poise, versatility, and ability to impact games on both ends of the floor, often pointing to her as a natural successor in the line of elite UConn guards.
As Bueckers has transitioned to the WNBA, Bird has publicly acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence that she has the skill and mentality to succeed.
Both players’ careers were shaped at UConn, where Bird won two national championships and helped establish the program’s dynasty. Bueckers has said Bird’s example was part of her decision to play in Storrs, calling her the blueprint for the career she envisioned.
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Seattle has already celebrated Bird with a retired jersey and a street named in her honor. The statue, the first for a WNBA player, is a permanent reminder of her impact on the sport.
For Bueckers, the symbolism resonates as she begins her own career.
“The way she brings people together… She demands a lot, but she supports you and challenges you at the same time,” Bueckers said. “That’s something I really admire and something I want to embody as a player myself.”
Bird’s likeness in bronze reflects her place in history. For Bueckers, it also serves as a reminder of the standard she is chasing every time she takes the court.
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