Speaking on Sunday afternoon at Sue Bird's number retirement ceremony, longtime University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma issued an emphatic declaration about his former point guard, calling her the greatest point guard that ever lived.

"The greatest point guard ever in the history of basketball, men's or women's, Sue Bird," he said before handing the microphone to Bird at Gampel Pavilion.

Bird delivered a classy speech immediately following those comments, telling Auriemma that he's never actually said those words in front of her before. She then went onto talk about the foundation that UConn laid for her in her career and her gratitude at the university's commitment to women's basketball. She said she learned how to be a winner and a leader in Storrs.

Having her No. 10 retired by the program is just another big milestone for Bird, who also earned induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year. UConn will only retire the uniforms of Hall of Famers. Her uniform is next to former men's star Richard Hamilton in the rafters.

Bird starred at UConn from 1998-2002 and had career averages of 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists over 118 games. She won two NCAA championships.

A 5-foot-9 point guard, she was a first-team All-American and the national Player of the Year in 2002. She had 1,378 career points in a Huskies uniform and 585 assists.

Now 44, Bird won Olympic gold medals with Team USA in the five Games from 2004 to 2020. She played 19 seasons with the Seattle Storm, who made her the first pick of the 2002 draft.

Her WNBA highlights:

·         4 league championships

·         13-time All-Star

·         8-time All-WNBA selection

·         All-time WNBA assists leader

·         3-time Sportsmanship Award winner

She was the first-ever No. 1 overall pick for UConn in the WNBA Draft.

Rebecca Lobo's No. 50 and Swin Cash's No. 32 are the only other retired uniforms in UConn women's basketball history. Perhaps Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi will come next. Moore is already in the Basketball Hall of Fame while Taurasi is sure to get in soon.

Outside of the Bird recognition, the UConn women are playing DePaul on Sunday afternoon. The UConn men will play on Tuesday against nationally-ranked Florida.

The football team is awaiting to learn its bowl placement after a 9-3 regular season.

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