Sue Bird is one of the most decorated and accomplished basketball players of all time. She has won four WNBA championships, five Olympic gold medals, four FIBA World Cups, and numerous individual awards. She is also the WNBA’s all-time leader in assists and games played. With such a stellar resume, it is natural to wonder if she has any connection to another basketball legend who shares her last name: Larry Bird.
Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players ever. He played for the Boston Celtics from 1979 to 1992, winning three championships, three MVP awards, two Finals MVP awards, and 12 All-Star selections. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and the 1992 Dream Team. His number 33 jersey was retired by the Celtics after his retirement.
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The Answer: No, They Are Not Related
Despite the common surname and the remarkable basketball skills, Sue Bird and Larry Bird are not related by blood or marriage. They have different backgrounds, origins, and family histories that show no evidence of any kinship.
Sue Bird was born in Syosset, New York, on October 16, 1980. Her parents are Herschel and Nancy Bird, who are Jewish immigrants from Israel and Russia, respectively. She has one older sister named Jen. She attended Syosset High School before transferring to Christ the King Regional High School in Queens. She then played college basketball at the University of Connecticut, where she won two national championships and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2002.
Larry Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, on December 7, 1956. His parents are Claude Joseph “Joe” and Georgia Bird, who are of French and Irish descent. He has five siblings: Mike, Mark, Jeff, Eddie, and Linda. He attended Springs Valley High School before playing college basketball at Indiana State University, where he led the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979.
The Confusion: Sue Bird Used to Pretend She Was Larry Bird’s Niece
Although Sue Bird and Larry Bird are not related, Sue Bird admitted that she used to lie about being Larry Bird’s niece when she was younger. In an interview with Insider in 2020, she said:
> “When I was younger I used to tell people I was his niece — I don’t know why I did that. I think it was just like a fun thing for me to do as a kid.”
She also said that she grew up idolizing Larry Bird and watching his games on TV. She even wore his number 33 jersey when she played basketball as a kid.
However, as she got older and became a star in her own right, she stopped pretending to be Larry Bird’s niece and embraced her own identity. She told WNBA.com in 2006:
> “Since I’ve been five, people asked me if we’re related. It is usually the third question in a line of questions. What’s your name? Sue Bird. Oh, what do you do? I play basketball. Are you related to Larry Bird? That’s how it goes. I guess it could be worse, though, since he is a legend and all.”
The Respect: Sue Bird and Larry Bird Have Mutual Admiration for Each Other
Even though Sue Bird and Larry Bird are not related, they have a lot of respect and admiration for each other as basketball players and icons. They have met several times over the years and have exchanged compliments and praises.
In 2004, Sue Bird was invited to attend Larry Bird’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame as part of a group of women’s basketball legends. She said it was an honor to be there and to witness his speech.
In 2018, Larry Bird presented Sue Bird with the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award at a ceremony in New York City. He said he was proud of her achievements and accomplishments.
In 2020, Sue Bird wrote an article for The Players’ Tribune titled “The Evolution of Women’s Basketball”, where she praised Larry Bird as one of her inspirations and role models. She wrote:
> “Larry Legend showed me what it meant to be a leader on the court — how to make your teammates better with your passing, your vision, your IQ.”
She also said that she learned a lot from watching his clutch performances and his competitive spirit.
The Conclusion: Sue Bird and Larry Bird Are Not Related But They Are Both Basketball Greats
Sue Bird and Larry Bird may share a last name and a love for basketball, but they are not related in any way. They have different family histories, backgrounds, and origins that show no signs of any kinship. However, they have a lot of respect and admiration for each other as basketball legends and icons. They have both achieved incredible success and recognition in their respective careers and have inspired generations of fans and players. They are both Birds of a feather, but not of the same flock..
