Would you like to know if Sue Bird and Larry Bird are related? Great news, you are in the right place. We’re going to shed some light on the rumored relationship between these two players and look at their careers. You’ll get a complete understanding of who they are, once and for all.

Is Sue Bird Related to Larry Bird?

Numerous individuals assume that Sue Bird and Larry Bird share a familial bond due to their common surname and basketball careers. However, it must be clarified that they have no blood relation whatsoever.

Sue Bird was born to parents Herschel Bird and Nancy Bird on October 16, 1980. Sue embarked on a basketball journey at an early age, ultimately establishing herself as one of the most accomplished players in the history of women’s basketball. During her collegiate years from 1998 to 2002, Bird graced the courts of the University of Connecticut, representing their women’s basketball team.

Larry Bird was born on December 7, 1956. Throughout high school, Bird showcased his exceptional talents, leading his team to an undefeated season and securing the state championship. His basketball prowess extended into his college years at Indiana State University.

Larry Bird has three children, with Corrie being his only biological child, born in 1977 to his first wife, Janet Condra. Conner Bird and Mariah Bird are Larry’s adopted children from his second wife, Dinah Mattingly.

Who is Larry Bird?

Larry Joe Bird is a former NBA player, coach, and executive. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players in history and is fondly referred to as Larry Legend. Bird is the sole individual in NBA history to receive all the titles of Finals MVP, ROTY, MVP, All-Star MVP, NBA COTY, and NBA EOTY.

During the 1978 NBA draft, Bird was selected as the sixth overall pick by the Boston Celtics. Despite this opportunity, he made the decision to continue his college career at Indiana State University for the 1978-1979 season. Subsequently, in the 1979-1980 season, Bird made his NBA debut with the Celtics and remained with the team throughout his entire 13-season professional career. His exceptional skills and leadership guided the Celtics to five NBA finals appearances and three championships.

Bird’s outstanding achievements include being a 12-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and a three-time consecutive recipient of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award from 1984 to 1986. Notably, he is the only forward in the league’s history to have accomplished this feat. Bird also had the privilege of representing the United States in the 1992 Olympic basketball team, known as the “Dream Team,” which clinched the gold medal.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the sport, Bird was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice. Firstly, in 1998, he was honored as an individual player, and later in 2010, as a member of the iconic “Dream Team.” Moreover, Bird earned a place on the NBA’s esteemed list of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and was subsequently included in the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021.

After retiring as a player, Bird embarked on a coaching and executive career. He served as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers from 1997 to 2000, becoming named NBA Coach of the Year for the 1997-1998 season. Under his leadership, the Pacers reached the NBA Finals in 2000. 

From 2003-2012, Bird was the president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers. His exceptional management skills earned him the NBA Executive of the Year accolade in 2012. Bird later returned to the Pacers as the president of basketball operations in 2013 and continued in that capacity until 2017.

Who is Sue Bird?

Suzanne Brigit Bird is a former American professional basketball player who spent her entire career with the Seattle Storm. Bird’s remarkable achievements have solidified her status as one of the greatest players in the history of the WNBA. Notably, she is the only WNBA player to secure championships in three separate decades.

During high school, Bird showcased her exceptional talent and earned accolades such as the New York State Player of the Year, the New York Daily News Player of the Year, and a WBCA All-American. In her final year at the University of Connecticut in 2002, Bird played an instrumental role on the undefeated team, winning both the Wade Trophy and the Naismith Award as the College Player of the Year. 

Bird’s accomplishments extend to the professional level, where she secured four WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020. During her creer with the Storm, she was named to eight All-WNBA teams. She has also amassed a remarkable collection of five Olympic gold medals in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. 

Additionally, Bird boasts two NCAA Championships during her time at UConn in 2000 and 2002, along with four FIBA World Cups in 2002, 2010, 2014, and 2018. Remarkably, she is among a select group of eleven women who have accomplished all four of these prestigious accolades. Bird’s international success includes winning the EuroLeague Women’s championship five times, spanning from 2007 to 2010 and in 2013.

Throughout her WNBA career, Bird’s exceptional skills and contributions led to her selection to 13 WNBA All-Star teams. Her impact on the sport has been recognized by fans, who voted her as one of the WNBA’s Top 15 Players of All Time in 2011, and inclusion in the WNBA Top 20 at 20 list, honoring the league’s top 20 players of all time in 2016. Most recently, she was named one of the league’s top 25 players of all time in 2021 as part of The W25 list.

Wrapping Things Up: Are Sue Bird and Larry Bird Related?

So, are Sue Bird and Larry Bird related? No. Despite sharing the same last name and successful basketball careers, they are not related in any way. Sue is an accomplished player in the WNBA, and Larry is a legendary figure in the NBA who has cemented his status as one of the greatest. While their paths have crossed in the realm of basketball, their connection is purely coincidental, and there is no familial relationship between them.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.