No athlete has been a stranger to injuries. But as they get old, bodily functions naturally slow down. However, players like Diana Taurasi and the WNBA legend Sue Bird have defied these norms. Achieving so much, they have set themselves apart from any other women’s hoops athlete. Hence, it is only normal for another Husky to ask for advice on the same. But what exactly did Bird help the 3x Olympic gold medalist—Breanna Stewart with?

Currently, the New York Liberty star is 30 but continues to be a force to reckon with. However, in 2019, she suffered a serious injury that could’ve tragically ended her basketball career at the prime age of 25. Then, she ruptured her Achilles tendon while playing. After a lengthy recovery break, she underwent a minor procedure to fix her Achilles in 2021. Although she returned to make her impact once again, before all this happened, she already knew she had to take some steps to ensure her longevity.

Coming to her aid was Sue Bird, who was a stellar performer at the time. Now, after she retired, the Seattle Storm icon spoke up on how Stewart and herself ensured their best form through health. In April, Sue Bird sat down at Summit at Sea to talk about the same. Bird told Langely McNeal, “Breanna Stewart was a teammate of mine and when she was 21, she was like, ‘What would you do different if you were my age?'” 

Bird added, “I was like, ‘There’s a coach I work with named Susan, work with Susan.’ A big part of what Susan does is nutrition. So, for me, it was about fueling for what I was trying to do and refueling for what I just did to my body and just staying in that cycle.”

Still, the 4x WNBA Champion mentioned how she sometimes goes 80-20, “80% on it, 20% I’m eating ice cream” and does not follow the schedule to the T! Just like her, we have other athletes who have been an example of excellence despite being older.

The Husky bunch following Sue Bird for long-term excellence

6 Olympic gold medals, 3 WNBA rings, 2x WNBA Finals MVP, 11 WNBA All-Star selections, and a lot more. This is how Diana Taurasi has bejeweled her professional career resume. While she has bid adieu to her national career, the Phoenix Mercury icon continues to break barriers in the WNBA to date. That too at the age of 42. Although the Mercury has not won a title for a decade now, Taurasi continues to be one of the top scorers and playmakers for the team.

Bringing Breanna Stewart back in the conversation, she too is 30 years old now. Still, she is the fastest player on Sandy Brondello’s squad. Not to mention, she and A’ja Wilson were quite a dangerous duo for Team USA as they completely dominated the paint in Paris. As for the WNBA, Stewie is a reigning MVP. Moreover, the Liberty was the first team to secure a playoff berth. All because of their leading scorer Breanna who is currently averaging 20 ppg! This was despite her recent injury scare before the Olympics.

Previously, the 2x WNBA MVP had mentioned how the gym sessions and the game are not the only things that athletes look into. She told Jen See from Red Bull, “Sometimes, people just think we show up and play, then go home and show up at the next game. But we put in a lot more work behind the scenes.”

It is interesting to see how much nutrition and a few simple steps to maintaining oneself can help performance. And no one would deny that Sue Bird was quite efficient till the end of the rope. Now, Taurasi and Stewart are simply walking on the path she had forged.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.