Olympic great Sue Bird to be first managing director of USA Basketball women's national team

Published: Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 12:00 am

**Sue Bird Takes the Reins: Olympic Legend Becomes Managing Director of USA Basketball Women's National Team**

Get ready for a new era in USA Basketball! Legendary five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird is stepping into a new role, becoming the managing director of the women's national team. This marks a significant shift in how the team is built, with Bird now responsible for roster selection and coaching staff decisions, mirroring the structure of the men's team.

Bird, a UConn basketball icon, expressed her excitement about the opportunity, citing her long-standing love for representing her country and competing on the world stage. This move replaces the previous committee-based decision-making process, streamlining the process and providing a consistent vision for the program.

USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley praised Bird's leadership and experience, highlighting her unparalleled pedigree in the sport. Bird's four-year term aligns with the Olympic cycle, allowing for a long-term strategy. Her immediate priorities include selecting the coaching staff and building the team for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Germany next year, with the ultimate goal of securing another gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Bird's experience as a player, understanding team dynamics, and the pressure of winning will be invaluable in her new role.

Keywords: Sue Bird, USA Basketball, women's national team, managing director, Olympic gold medalist, roster selection, coaching staff, FIBA World Cup, 2028 Olympics, UConn basketball, Jim Tooley, Grant Hill, Jerry Colangelo, Caitlin Clark, Paris Olympics, Los Angeles Olympics, WNBA, college basketball.

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