WNBA star Satu Sabally, known as the league's "Unicorn," joins Sue Bird to share her incredible journey to becoming one of the WNBA’s most versatile and dynamic players. Satou opens up about her breakout 2023 season, which saw her earn a spot on the WNBA All-Star First Team and finish fifth in MVP voting. She also reflects on her German roots, her transition to the U.S., and the sacrifices that shaped her career.

In this episode, we get into everything—from her rookie struggles and learning the physicality of the WNBA to her decision to request a trade to the Phoenix Mercury. Satou breaks down her personal growth, overcoming injuries, and the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level. Plus, she shares her thoughts on team chemistry with Phoenix’s Big Three and her goals for the 2025 season.

Whether you’re a die-hard WNBA fan or simply love hearing stories of perseverance and success, this episode is for you.

Don’t miss out—hit that follow button for more exclusive WNBA content with new episodes every Friday!

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Sue’s View

02:47 - Playoff Race Insights

06:50 - Resting Players Strategy

09:23 - Liberty Team Concerns

12:25 - Alyssa Thomas, Phee, A'ja MVP Cases

18:02 - Regular Season Impact on MVP

21:30 - Satou Interview

27:07 - Growing Up in a Big Family

31:54 - Playing Pro in Germany

36:48 - Choosing Oregon for College

40:15 - College Recruitment Insights

42:51 - Adjusting to College Basketball

46:17 - Playing with Sabrina Ionescu

48:59 - Trio Success at Oregon

52:25 - 2020 NCAA Tournament Cancellation Impact

54:02 - Leaving College Early

55:33 - Entering the WNBA Bubble

58:58 - Adjusting to WNBA Physicality

1:05:54 - Satou's Breakout in the 2023 Season

1:08:38 - Olympics and Shoulder Injury

1:14:13 - Requesting a Trade

1:18:10 - Current Game Style

1:19:46 - New Trio and Roster Dynamics

1:25:07 - Defining Success for the Mercury

1:26:15 - Returning to Dallas Experience

1:27:08 - Wrapping Up with Satou

1:27:51 - Outro

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The Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard sits down with Sue Bird to reflect on her standout Kentucky years, her early years in the W, and her aspirations to bring a championship to the Dream. They discuss how Rhyne strongly considered transferring after Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell retired before deciding to stay with the program. They also dive into how Howard consistently turns doubt into motivation, what people get wrong when they question her motor, and why she sees it as simply playing at her own pace.

Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more WNBA interviews, reactions and highlights. New episodes out every Friday!

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Napheesa Collier sits down with Sue Bird to discuss her journey from Jefferson City, Missouri to UConn—why her freshman year was such a challenge, and how she turned that struggle into becoming an elite defender. They explore the influence of Maya Moore on her career, and how Collier has anchored the Minnesota Lynx atop the WNBA standings this season.

Phee also talks about playing under Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, and how her style compares to Geno Auriemma’s at UConn. She shared how impactful the veteran leadership of Sylvia Fowles was early in her professional career, and how playing overseas helped her develop by experiencing the unique styles and physicality of different leagues. They also discuss Collier’s experience co-founding Unrivaled with Breanna Stewart.

Plus, Sue answers listener questions about her statue at Climate Pledge Arena and which historical WNBA moments new fans should watch.

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Two-time WNBA champion, Four-time All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist Kelsey Plum joins Sue Bird to open up about her decision to leave the Las Vegas Aces, how she’s fought to prove herself in every stage of her career, and what it means to lead the Los Angeles Sparks. They also discuss her incredible career at the University of Washington and Plum's early years in the league.

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his week, we welcome the one and only Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Caitlin opens up about so much, starting with her iconic run at Iowa and making two NCAA Championship games, and how she stayed grounded while becoming a household name. Caitlin also shares how she’s learning to adjust to the physicality and defensive tactics of the WNBA, her “risk assessment” in the passes she makes and shots she takes, and why the Fever have been the perfect organization to start her career. She also candidly discusses what it’s been like dealing with her injuries this season — including what she’s missing most about being on the court, but also what she’s come to learn from the sideline and how she thinks her career will benefit going forward. Caitlin also explains how she manages the high praises and harsh criticisms she receives, before closing with her top three shots of her career.

Plus: Sue breaks down the latest WNBA trades, and gives a big shoutout to Naz Hillmon and the Atlanta Dream.

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Two-time All-Star Dearica Hamby joins Sue to talk about her late start in basketball, winning a title with the Aces, and balancing motherhood with pro hoops. She also gives us her perspective on her iconic buzzer-beater in the 2019 playoffs, and opens up about how impactful her Sparks teammates were in helping ease the transition from the Aces to LA. Plus, she talks about reuniting with Kelsey Plum in LA and helping shift the culture with the Sparks while continuing to grow her game.

Lastly, Sue discusses Skylar Diggins' historic triple-doubles, Arike Ogunbowale's post-All-Star bounce back, and the Sparks' upward trajectory.

Subscribe to the Bird’s Eye View podcast with Sue Bird YouTube channel today for more interviews, reactions and highlights. New episodes out every Friday!

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Last week at WNBA All-Star, Sue sat down with Kayla Thornton to talk about her incredible journey from going undrafted out of UTEP to becoming the Golden State Valkyries’ first-ever WNBA All-Star. They discuss how Kayla developed her game overseas, grew through tough early-career moments, and built a reputation as one of the most reliable defenders in the league. They also discuss Kayla’s time with the Dallas Wings and what it was like to win a WNBA championship with the New York Liberty.

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D.C. Mystics rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are off to an incredible start to their WNBA careers. Sue sat down with them to discuss how they've been able to hit the ground running so effectively in their rookie year. Sonia and Kiki talk about their respective journeys through college, getting drafted 3rd and 4th, and what the transition to the WNBA has really been like. They also break down what makes guarding Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu so difficult, and the value of having great vets around them.

Plus: Sue breaks down a monster game from A’ja Wilson and how Angel Reese's prolific rebounding is helping the Sky win.

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Tina Charles has seen it all. She’s won an MVP, Olympic gold medals, played overseas, been traded, and competed alongside (and against) some of the biggest names in WNBA history.

This is a special two-part episode, recorded first in late June, then again on July 10.

Across both conversations, Tina and Sue talk about Tina’s early struggles at UConn, playing for her hometown New York Liberty, and what she learned from each of her stops along the way. Tina also reflects on the highs and lows of her time in Phoenix, what it was like joining super teams, and how she’s evolved as a leader and a teammate. Finally, Tina and Sue tell some incredible previously untold stories about USA basketball, life overseas, and...drug tests...

Plus, Sue shares her take on the new CBA possibly bringing more European players to the W, DeWanna Bonner’s return to Phoenix, and the rookies named to this year’s All-Star team.

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The Indiana Fever’s Natasha Howard basically wins wherever she goes. Howard sits down with Sue Bird to talk about what it takes to win three WNBA championships, why being adaptable is her secret weapon, and how she’s approaching her new role as a leader on a young Indiana team. She also reflects on learning from legends like Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, and Rebekkah Brunson, the four trades that shaped her career, and what it’s like playing alongside Caitlin Clark. Plus, Sue and Natasha reminisce about their championship runs together in Seattle.

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