Sue Bird is a four-time WNBA champ and five-time Olympic gold medalist, and has played alongside some of the greatest basketball players in WNBA history.
So when the former Seattle Storm guard was asked which player she wished she could have shared the court with, her answer on the "Girls Tripp" podcast caught attention, especially considering it was an Indiana Fever player but not Caitlin Clark.
Bird was asked a simple question during a segment on the podcast, "Who is the one player you wish you could have played with?"
Her reply prompted laughter from the people present. She said, "Oh, man. I mean, I kind of played with them all, guys."
Considering the talent she played with during her career, the answer was understandable. The 46-year-old played alongside several of the greatest players in women's basketball, including Lauren Jackson, a three-time WNBA MVP, and Swin Cash, a three-time WNBA champion.
She also shared the court with current New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA MVP, and Diana Taurasi, a three-time WNBA champion.
But Bird eventually picked a name.
"You know, I'll say Kelsey Mitchell. A little one, two punch," she said.
When Sarah Strong was suggested, Bird admitted she had not considered the young college star. She then reflected on her good fortune to play alongside so many great players.
Bird did not explain why she chose Mitchell, but the pairing is easy to imagine. Bird was known for controlling the offense, finding teammates and making smart passes. Mitchell, meanwhile, is an explosive scorer who can create her own shot and score from the perimeter.
A guard who can set up teammates alongside one who can consistently create scoring opportunities could have made an effective combination. Bird did not name Clark, but that does not necessarily mean she believes Clark would be a poor fit. Her answer was simply Mitchell.
The 30-year-old has given Indiana plenty of reasons to value her. The No. 2 pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft averaged a career-high 24.7 points per game in the 2026 regular season. She also set the WNBA single-season scoring record with 1,086 points.
Bird's choice also highlights Mitchell's value as a backcourt partner, something Clark has experienced firsthand in Indiana.
The 2024 Rookie of the Year has made it clear that she wants to keep playing alongside Mitchell, calling re-signing her the Fever's "number one priority" and saying, "There's nobody I would want to share the backcourt with other than her."
Mitchell is an unrestricted free agent, so Indiana will have to convince her to return. Bird may have imagined a backcourt partnership with Mitchell, but Clark already knows what playing beside her can bring. Now the Fever's challenge is making sure that partnership continues.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
