Swimsuit

Sue Bird’s Confidence Is Palpable in These 5 Photos From St. Thomas

The WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist was photographed by Laretta Houston for last year’s SI Swimsuit Issue.

Ananya Panchal

Sue Bird

Sue Bird was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. 

There isn’t much debate around the fact that Sue Bird is the WNBA’s GOAT. As a five-time Olympic medalist and repeat FIBA World Championship winner, it’s hard to deny her success and talent. She’s one of the few athletes who retired at the top of their career and truly made an impact for so many young women in sports everywhere. 

The former Seattle Storm point guard, who was the team’s No. 1 draft pick back in 2002, spent her entire stacked and legendary career with the team and lead them to four WNBA championships. The 43-year-old, who announced she was leaving pro basketball last June, was featured in the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue in St. Thomas alongside fellow basketball stars Breanna Stewart, DiDi Richards, Nneka Ogwumike and Te’a Cooper. 

“When I got the call I was just floored... super excited. [It was] kind of a mind-blown moment. To actually be invited, to know what they’re celebrating, it’s amazing,” she said of her experience with the brand. “Now that it’s the individual day, I feel like a little more relaxed and kind of ready for it.”

Today, Bird is the cofounder of media and commerce production company TOGETHXR, and runs production company A Touch More with her fiancé, former USWNT soccer star Megan Rapinoe. The 38-year-old newly retired soccer player posed for Ben Watts in St. Lucia for the 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue.

Below are five incredibly powerful photos from Bird’s feature with Laretta Houston in St. Thomas.

Sue Bird

Sue Bird was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by SKATIE. Top by Natalia Fedner.

Sue Bird

Sue Bird was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Gigi C. Earrings by Eklexic.

Sue Bird

Sue Bird was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by SKATIE. Top by Natalia Fedner.

Sue Bird

Sue Bird was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Thaikila.

Sue Bird

Sue Bird was photographed by Laretta Houston in St. Thomas. Swimsuit by Antoninias. Earrings by Eklexic.

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Ananya Panchal

ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a NYC-based Lifestyle & Trending News writer at SI Swimsuit. Before joining the Swim team, the Boston University Alum worked for culture & entertainment beats at Bustle, The San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. When Ananya is not writing or doom-scrolling on social media, she can be found playing sudoku, rewatching One Tree Hill or trying new restaurants. She's also a coffee and chocolate (separately) enthusiast.