BIRD IS THE WORD: Five-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA legend named USA Basketball Women’s first managing director with an eye for the future

NEW YORK – Sue Bird is back.

The four-time WNBA champion and 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee was named on Thursday the first-ever managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team at the major press event at Nike’s New York Headquarters.

Considered a living legend and graduate of Christ the King High School in Middle Village, N.Y., Bird’s career on the hardwood took her from the University of Connecticut to the Seattle Storm to courts around the EuroLeague to podiums across the world as she dominated at every level. She is one of just 12 players to have earned an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, WNBA title and NCAA title — and she did so in multiples. With a knack for making basketball history, it was only fitting that Bird’s onward step be a monumental one.

“It’s really exciting. I know what it feels like to represent your country as a player. I know what it feels like to stand on the podium as a player,” Bird said. “So now that I’m retired, to continue to be able to have impact, to continue to be a part of representing (this) country and part of a gold medal organization feels like a natural next step for me.”

For 20 years after Bird made her USA Basketball debut at the R. William Jones Cup in 2000, sporting the red, white and blue has meant dishing out 124 assists on the Olympic stage, pioneering 162 total wins and even leading Team USA into the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Games in 2020. In this next chapter, it will mean assembling the U.S. Women’s National Team roster and coaching staff for international competitions, including the 2026 FIBA World Cup and the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. But Bird is confident that every experience she’s culled in the basketball domain has prepared her to tackle this transition head on.

“At this point really every experience that I had along my journey as a player is going to play a role,” Bird said.

There’s more high praise and excitement from USA Basketball.

“Sue is one of the most respected people in the basketball community,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “Having known Sue for many years, I’m confident her leadership and knowledge will be a huge asset to the continued success of our women’s national team program, and we’re excited to have her join us as we head towards the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.”

— From USA Basketball Communications with additional reporting from Blue Star Media’s Winston Kelly in New York