After finishing her playing career back in 2022, Sue Bird now has a new gig. On Thursday, USA Basketball named her the first managing director of the women’s national team. Bird will be responsible for selecting the coaching staff and players for major international competitions such as the 2026 World Cup, 2028 Olympics and the various training camps in between.
“It’s a huge honor to be named managing director of USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team,” Bird said in a release. “Representing the United States has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support the next generation as they carry that legacy on. I’m excited to take on this new role and to work alongside the USA Basketball staff and Board of Directors as we prepare for this upcoming chapter of USA Basketball.”
“Sue is one of the most respected people in the basketball community,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said in a release. “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.”
Bird is one of the most accomplished women’s basketball players, especially at the international level. She won five Olympic gold medals and four World Cups, owning a 162-9 record over her 21-year career. Bird also carried the flag for the US at the opening ceremony for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Outside of the national team, she won two national championships at UConn, four WNBA titles and five EuroLeague crowns. Bird was a 13-time all-star who owns the league record for the most games played (580) and most career assists (3,234). She officially retired following the 2022 WNBA campaign, will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame this summer and is a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.