Sue Bird -- a 4-time WNBA champion and star guard for the Seattle Storm -- says she's retiring ... announcing Thursday she's hanging up her sneakers for good at the end of this season.
"I’ve decided this will be my final year," said Bird, who shared a photo of her hoopin' as a youngster.
"I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first."
The 41-year-old, who was a 2-time NCAA champion at UConn, was picked #1 overall back in 2002 .