Early Life
Bird was born on October 16, 1980 in Syosset, New York. She is the younger of Herschel and Nancy Bird's two children. Her father's family was Jewish and originally from Russia, and their original name was "Boorda". Bird was raised in her mother's Christian religion. In 2006, Bird acquired Israeli citizenship. She still maintains her citizenship in the United States and represents the U.S. in international basketball competitions.
Bird's role model as a young child was her older sister Jen. To stay active, Jen participated in several recreational sports. Sue's favorite was basketball, though she also played soccer, tennis, and track. Sue became a very good player and started playing AAU basketball in the sixth grade. While only 11 years old, she played during halftime of a St. John's basketball game; her play was so impressive that a security guard asked for her autograph.
Read more about this topic: Sue Bird
Famous quotes containing the words early and/or life:
“I doubt that I would have taken so many leaps in my own writing or been as clear about my feminist and political commitments if I had not been anointed as early as I was. Some major form of recognition seems to have to mark a woman’s career for her to be able to go out on a limb without having her credentials questioned.”
—Ruth Behar (b. 1956)
“It is the responsibility of every adult—especially parents, educators and religious leaders—to make sure that children hear what we have learned from the lessons of life and to hear over and over that we love them and they are not alone.”
—Marian Wright Edelman (20th century)