Photo via Yahoo Sports

‘The Obvious Answer’ – 4-Time Champion Sue Bird Snubs Caitlin Clark To Name WNBA Rival As the Star She’d Build Around

WNBA legend Sue Bird made a bold choice when asked which player she would build a team around, selecting Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson over rising stars Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles. Bird, a four-time champion and Hall of Famer, emphasized Wilson’s prime years, noting she is just 30 and could dominate well into her 40s, citing her own extended career as an example.

The decision came after Wilson won her fifth MVP award—breaking the WNBA record—and led the Aces to the Finals despite playing without star forward NaLyssa Smith, who suffered a season-ending injury in August. Wilson’s dominance was undeniable, averaging 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while leading the league in scoring for the third straight season and blocks for the fifth time, cementing her status as the league’s most consistent performer with a career scoring average of 22.1 points, the highest in WNBA history.

Bird acknowledged the difficulty of passing on Clark, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, who finished fourth in MVP voting with 22.3 points and 8.3 assists per game. However, she also praised Minnesota Lynx guard Miles, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, who averaged 19.8 points and 6.0 assists while leading the Lynx to a 33-11 record.

Bird’s preference for Wilson stemmed from her belief in youth and longevity, as well as Wilson’s ability to elevate a team even without its full roster. The conversation took place ahead of the WNBA Finals, where Bird will host NBC’s pregame show for Game 1 between the Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream, though none of the three players discussed will be part of that series.

Up nextWNBA· 1h ago

"Based on What Exactly": Ex-ESPN Host Questions Angel Reese Effect as Caitlin Clark Comparisons Take Over WNBA Finals