Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird

Episode: Satou Sabally on Leveling Up With the Phoenix Mercury & Her Journey From Germany to the WNBA

Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Sue Bird
Guest: Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury)
Key Contributor: Tommy Alter

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, WNBA legend Sue Bird welcomes Phoenix Mercury’s Satou Sabally, one of the league’s most electrifying and versatile talents, known as the “Unicorn.” They dive into Satou’s rise from Berlin playgrounds to WNBA stardom, the lessons of international basketball, her emotional college and pro experiences, and her breakout with the Mercury. With rich personal insights and behind-the-scenes detail, Satou offers inspiration and candor about leveling up, battling through adversity, and what it really means to evolve as an athlete.

Key Topics & Insights

WNBA Playoff Picture & League Trends

[03:24 - 18:40]

• Playoff Race Dynamics: Sue, with guest Tommy Alter, analyzes the tight playoff race among Indiana Fever, LA Sparks, Seattle Storm, and Golden State Valkyries. Game count remaining and scheduling anomalies affect team control over their fate.
  • Sue Bird: "Some teams, at one point, had four games left and others had eight. That feels like a mind fuck... how do I wrap my head around that?" [06:44]
• Resting Players & Mentality: Discussion on how teams approach late season games, resting key players, and the resulting impact on playoff races.
  • Sue Bird: “If you see someone playing Minnesota, you're like, fuck. If you’re playing Minnesota, you’re still getting ready for a game.” [08:03]
• Fan Reactions/Pressure: Commentary on how fanbases of winning teams (i.e. Minnesota Lynx) start panicking at every loss, a sign of raised expectations.
  • Tommy Alter: "They freak out after every loss…like you’re the Yankees. Every loss becomes dramatic." [09:14]
• New York Liberty’s Chemistry & Health: Concerns about whether the Liberty have enough runway to regain chemistry as key stars return from injury.
  • Sue Bird: “Are they running out of games to get Stewie back, to get JJ back, Sabrina, Niara... are they running out of real estate?” [10:16]
• Injury Impact: Sue reflects on her own experiences with injury-plagued seasons and how injuries to top talent test team cohesion.

WNBA Award Races

[13:00 - 18:40]

• Alyssa Thomas’ MVP Candidacy: Sue details why Alyssa Thomas’s all-around value is often overshadowed compared to high-scoring stars.
  • Sue Bird: "She has MVP caliber seasons…but the other things she does get lost, it doesn't get valued as much." [13:29]
• Asia Wilson & Napheesa Collier: Debate on MVP criteria—dominance, team wins, timing of breakout performances, and injury impact. The race may go down to the final game.
  • Sue Bird: "If Vegas finishes second, it's best player, second best team, and…with the numbers she’s been putting up, I just get how this is literally going to come down to the last game." [18:08]
• Late-Season Surges: How late-season excellence is (or isn’t) rewarded in award voting, and the "narrative momentum" of MVP campaigns.

Sue Bird’s Hall of Fame Induction

[20:25 - 22:20]

• Sue’s Reflection: Upcoming Naismith Hall of Fame induction, sharing the moment with peers like Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, and the meaning of collective recognition after a year of solo honors.
  • Sue Bird: “I’m actually getting to share. So those were all like, individual…and this is…with your class…That’s the best part by far." [22:07]

Satou Sabally Interview

Embracing the “Unicorn” Identity

[22:52 - 23:38]

• Nickname’s Impact:
  • Satou Sabally: "I love being called a unicorn, but I also feel like I have an alter ego on the court…more like a more dominant unicorn." [22:52]
  • She uses it to empower young fans—"everyone has a unicorn in them."

Origin Story: From Playground to Pro

[23:40 - 25:28]

• Discovery: Spotted by a coach on a Berlin playground due to her height and athleticism.
• Early Connection: Basketball brought focus and excitement, sparking the drive she still chases.

Family Background & Multicultural Identity

[25:30 - 31:33]

• Competitive Nature: Always pressured herself to perform, both on the court and academically.
• Large Family: Third of seven siblings—learned teamwork, empathy, and community early.
  • Satou: “My siblings were my people…You really learn how to function in a big community.”
• Global Lens: Splitting time in Gambia and Germany fostered adaptability, sensitivity to culture and people, and the ability to "read the room."
  • Satou: “I always say that I’m somewhat of a very global person…I feel like I was put in a lot of positions where I had to assimilate.”

Navigating European System & Choosing the NCAA Path

[32:29 - 37:22]

• Turning Down a Paycheck: Played pro in Germany as a teen but declined compensation to keep NCAA eligibility.

  • Satou: “If I wanted to be the best, I have to be in America…I also wanted to keep my academic window open.”

• Academic Motivation: Education was a key driver; she was first-generation to go to university.

• Choosing Oregon over bigger names: Loved the “family dynamic” and the challenge.

  • Satou: “They didn’t make me promises…they really sat me down and spoke to me about how I can become the best version of myself.” [38:00]

• Recruitment Process: A referee’s tip led Oregon coaches to her; later became the first international player at the Jordan Classic, paving the way for others.

College Years: Oregon’s Rise & the Missed Championship

[43:24 - 54:51]

• Early Adjustment: Physicality and athleticism were a shock; struggled at first with NCAA’s rules and rivals, especially travel violations.
• Forming the Oregon Trio: The partnership with Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard revolved around ambition and selflessness.
  • Satou: “We were all very different, and we embraced our differences too…whoever had the hot hand, had the hot hand, but we would really share the ball.”
• NCAA Tournament Glory/Heartbreak: Recounts the buzz of beating Team USA and the pain of losing out on a national title due to COVID.
  • Satou: “The whole world had to stop to make us stop. That’s what I say, and that’s what I find peace with.” [54:51]
• Leaving for the WNBA: After fulfilling her goals—“I got what I came here for. I got my degree…I kind of just…I want to get my money.”

Rookie Year: The WNBA Bubble, Social Justice, and Early Struggles

[57:45 - 64:28]

• Rookie in the COVID Bubble: No fans, daily testing; overwhelming, yet also formative.
• Finding Purpose: Used basketball as a platform for social justice; the league’s solidarity inspired her.
  • Satou: “Basketball has given me the vessel…that platform to speak out on things.”
• Physical Jump in the WNBA: Learned to combine skill and strength; faced growing pains (poor shooting in rookie year) but leaned on veterans’ encouragement.
  • Satou: “I cried so much my rookie season…look at your highlight tapes, believe in yourself…Just shoot it.” [62:21]

Dallas Years: Growing Pains and Breakthrough

[65:17 - 70:56]

• Young Core, High Turnover: Talent and teamwork developed, but constant coaching and point guard changes undercut growth.
  • Satou: “You almost felt like you always had to rebuild…I don’t think we had that elite discipline yet.”
• 2023 Breakout:
  • Sue: “You win most improved, you're WNBA all first team, you're an All Star again, fifth in MVP voting. What do you think changed…?”
  • Satou: “I was just like, sick and tired of losing…that year I just took it game by game…really acted like a pro and that translated to my game.” [69:12]

Injury, Olympics, and Pivotal Summer

[70:56 - 75:25]

• Elbow Injury/Shoulder Surgery: Feared missing Olympics after surgery so close to qualifying Germany for the first time.
  • Satou: “You might miss the biggest thing that you’ve worked for…The day I was told I needed surgery was like a complete shock.” [71:57]
  • Relentless rehab effort, leaned on close friends, played the Olympics “with my first live run a week before.”
• Olympic Experience: Proudest to get Germany to quarters; sees setbacks as motivation to "level up."
  • Satou: “All my big-time losses…were such fuel. You never want to feel that way again…Being a pro is literally about leveling up in every single aspect.” [75:25]

Leveling Up: Trade to Phoenix Mercury & New Era

[76:41 - 82:15]

• Requesting a Trade: Sought out the Phoenix Mercury for their stability, player-first mentality, and legacy players.

  • Satou: "I poured so much into [Dallas]...I needed the stability that I need...I was just happy that Phoenix...allows you to really flourish." [77:11]

• Instant Impact: Set Mercury record with 27 points in debut; credits freedom, mental clarity, and strong preparation.

  • Satou: “Honestly, I was just free. I think mentally, I was just happy for a new start...the first game is always the easiest, honestly.” [79:37]

• How She Now Sees Her Game:

  • Satou: “I would describe it as gritty...I want to be physical on defense...I think I’m playing a more educated game…being that versatile player and really analyzing the game.” [81:07]

• Team Chemistry: New trio (KA, AT, Satou) complemented by impactful new faces and savvy vets, including Sammy Wickham.

  • Satou: “Our rookies are not regular rookies…Mo hasn’t even played EuroLeague and is starting point guard on the WNBA team that’s top four. That just speaks so much to her.”
  • On Wickham: “Her leadership is just something that I really look up to...her energy; she’s in the gym first thing.”

Looking Ahead: Championship Aspirations

[86:36 - 87:42]

• What Phoenix Needs:
  • Satou: “Playing forty minutes…relentless pursuit...quick conflict resolution...we don’t have the background of year-long [playing] together, so really quick conflict resolution and taking a game for 40 minutes.”
• Defining Success:
  • Satou: “Winning it all. We want to win…but I think we've been so successful already…we are better every single day. So that's also what success looks like. But obviously, like, we want to win.” [87:42]

Returning to Dallas

[88:48 - 89:31]

• Emotional seeing old staff, feeling her Dallas years still shape her, and anticipation to play there again.

Notable Quotes

• On the ‘Unicorn’ nickname and identity:

  • Satou: "I love being called a unicorn, but I also feel like I have an alter ego on the court…more like a more dominant unicorn." [22:52]

• On breaking out in 2023:

  • Satou: “I was just like, sick and tired of losing…I matured out of the 'oh, I'm just happy to be here'...that year I just, I just really, like, took it game by game. I took care of my body, I slept a lot more, I really just acted like a pro and that translated to my game.” [69:12]

• On adversity and using losses as fuel:

  • Satou: “All my big-time losses…were such fuel. You never want to feel that way again. When we lost against Vegas…I just remember thinking, I am not good enough yet. But that ‘yet’ really spins it into a positive way of thinking.” [75:25]

• On choosing Phoenix:

  • Satou: “It was really being around greatness. I felt like I gave everything [in Dallas]…Phoenix provides for their players and has an ecosystem that allows you to really flourish.” [77:11]

• On her current style of play:

  • Satou: “I would describe it as gritty. I want to be physical on defense, and I want to have my defense lead into offense…I know my spots better…” [81:07]

Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | Brief Description | |-----------|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | 03:24 | Playoff race deep-dive | Complexity of end-of-season schedules | | 13:29 | MVP debate | Alyssa Thomas, Asia Wilson MVP candidacy | | 20:25 | Hall of Fame preview | Sue shares upcoming HOF enshrinement thoughts | | 22:52 | Satou interview: Unicorn intro | Owning the unicorn nickname | | 23:40 | Childhood discovery | Berlin playground, 1st coach, falling in love | | 38:00 | College choice/experience | Oregon, recruitment, transition to NCAA | | 48:42 | Oregon trio dynamics | Playing with Sabrina and Ruthy | | 54:51 | NCAA COVID heartbreak | Losing chance at a championship | | 58:15 | WNBA Bubble/rookie year | Social justice, navigating isolation | | 69:12 | 2023 breakout season | What changed for Satou | | 71:57 | Injury/Olympics | Recovering to make history with Germany | | 76:41 | Requesting a trade to Phoenix | Why Mercury, first impressions | | 86:36 | Finals aspirations | What Mercury must do for a title run |

Conclusion

This rich, in-depth episode delivers a masterclass in athletic growth, perseverance, and cultural perspective. Satou Sabally demonstrates not only on-court brilliance but also rare maturity, introspection, and global vision. Her journey and candid reflections provide both inspiration for young athletes and invaluable context on what it takes to truly "level up" in the WNBA and beyond.