When it comes to professional basketball, Sue and Larry Bird are legends in their respective leagues. Larry Bird is a hall-of-fame player who has become infamous over the years for his incredible shooting accuracy and notorious trash talk. While it has been a few decades since Larry has played, he is still considered one of the greatest ever to do it.

Sue Bird, a long-time mainstay of the WNBA, has broken so many records that the hall of fame is nearly guaranteed when she becomes eligible. Widely considered one of the best ever to do it in women's basketball, several people have noticed her similar last name and began to wonder if she has any relation to her male counterpart.

When two people are so profoundly dominant in their sports, it is easy to assume that the two may somehow end up being related by blood. To answer this question, we will go in-depth on whether they share the same name by coincidence or if Sue Bird is related to Larry Bird.

Who Are The Birds?

You have probably heard of Sue and Larry Bird if you are a basketball fan. Even if you aren't, they have become household names due to their success in their individual leagues. Despite this, the ability to easily get information through the internet, especially through people searches like this, is not always well-known. Because of this, several wonder if the two basketball superstars are related or not.

Who is Sue Bird?

Sue Bird was a WNBA player who played exclusively for the Seattle Storm for her twenty-year career. Across her decorated career - the longest in WNBA history - she has won records for most games, assists, turnovers, and minutes played. She has also nipped at several other records, nearly grabbing the most 3-point shots (she placed 2nd) and is 3rd in steals.

She retired from the league in 2022 and is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2027. At the time of this article, she is the first and only person in the WNBA to win a championship across three different decades. In her personal life, she is engaged to soccer standout Megan Rapinoe, another celebrated sports icon.

Who is Larry Bird

Larry Bird is an inescapable name in the NBA. In his dominant career, he has become a Hall-of-Famer, MVP, rookie of the Year, coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. A product of Indiana, Larry joined the Boston Celtics in 1979 and remained with them until his final year in 1992. He has won three NBA Championships and three Most Valuable Player awards.

While he is generally regarded as one of the greatest ever to play the game, riding off into the sunset was not in the cards for Larry. He became a coach for the Indiana Pacers, where he had an impressive three years with the team. He later became the president of operations for the Pacers, where he has since stepped down.

Are They Related?

While it may seem destined that the two basketball legends must share some form of ancestry, there is no relation. Despite this, Sue Bird has stated that she is still regularly asked if she has any relation to Larry and that is has become a regular part of meeting people. Considering Larry grew up in small-town Indiana and Sue in Long Island, familial ties were always unlikely.

Summary of Sue and Larry Bird

The two basketball prodigies have become massive celebrities for their ability on the court. Larry has become respected as a player, coach, and basketball executive, with trophies even being named after him. Sue Bird is far younger, though she has already become one of the most well-known WNBA players ever to do it and is all but guaranteed Hall of Fame status.

Despite their similar success in the same field, they come from entirely different backgrounds and locations and have no relation outside their last name. Despite extensive coverage and Sue Bird definitively answering the question, people regularly ask if the two share blood.

Regardless of their relationship, the two will be remembered for their abilities, legacy, and individual careers for years to come.