Sue Bird: USA Basketball Managing Director
- Sue Bird, the WNBA legend and five-time Olympic gold medalist, will become the next managing director for the USA Basketball women's national team.
- Bird, 44, will be responsible for selecting player rosters and coaching staff for the Olympic and World Cup teams.
- Team USA boasts a 78-3 all-time record at the Summer Games.
Sue Bird, the WNBA icon adn a five-time Olympic gold medalist, now assumes the role of managing director for the USA Basketball women’s national team. This strategic move, declared at nike headquarters, marks a important restructuring as Team USA gears up for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bird’s duties encompass selecting player rosters and coaching personnel for both Olympic and World Cup competitions, shifting from the previous committee-driven approach. Her appointment follows an illustrious career,including multiple Olympic golds and World Cup victories,solidifying her legacy. The U.S. women’s team,boasting an extraordinary record and recent gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Games,enters a new era under Bird’s leadership. For thorough sports reporting, turn to News Directory 3. Discover what’s next as the team looks ahead to the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
Sue Bird to Head USA Basketball Women’s National Team
Sue Bird, the WNBA legend and five-time Olympic gold medalist, will become the next managing director for the USA Basketball women’s national team. The announcement is expected Thursday at Nike headquarters in New York City, according to The Athletic. This move signals a restructuring for USA Basketball as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Bird, 44, will be responsible for selecting player rosters and coaching staff for the Olympic and World Cup teams. This marks a change from the previous committee-led selection process. Jen Rizzotti led the committee that chose the 2024 Paris Olympics roster, which included Dawn Staley, Bethany Donaphin, and Dan Padover. grant Hill currently serves as managing director for the U.S. men’s national team, a role established in 2005.
Team USA boasts a 78-3 all-time record at the Summer Games. At the 2024 Paris Games, the U.S. women’s team secured their eighth consecutive gold medal, narrowly defeating France 67-66. The roster selection also sparked debate when Caitlin Clark was not included. The U.S. has not lost an Olympic game since 1992.
Before retiring in 2022,Bird secured five Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles with the national team. After a prosperous career at UConn, where she won two NCAA Tournament titles, Bird was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft. She played 19 seasons, earning 13 All-Star selections and four WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm.
What’s next
The first qualifying event for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will take place in November. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in Germany from Sept.4-13,2026.