The Seattle Storm have re-signed star guard Sue Bird to a multiyear deal, the team announced Tuesday.
Bird, 35, was the top free agent in the WNBA this season -- although she was always expected to stay with the team she has played for since being drafted No. 1 in 2002. Bird averaged 10.3 points and 5.4 assists last season in 27 games. She helped the team win WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010.
Bird will take part in training camp for the U.S. women's national team this month in Connecticut. She has helped the Americans win the last three Olympic titles, and the U.S. will be trying for a sixth straight gold medal in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
The Storm have the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft and are expected to select UConn star Breanna Stewart. It is the second consecutive season in which Seattle has the No. 1 choice. Last season, the Storm drafted Jewell Loyd, who went on to win rookie of the year.