NEW YORK – Sue Bird adds another assist to USA Basketball, taking over as general manager of the women’s national team.
The five-time Olympic champion was named to the new position on Thursday, marking a significant change in the way the organization creates its roster and coaching staff.
I played for USA Basketball for a long time and always enjoyed my time with them. I love representing my country. I love being competitive on that stage. Having the opportunity to do it in a different role is exciting.
Sue Bird
Before the change, a committee made those decisions, but now, similarly to what the United States men’s national team does, Bird will be responsible for putting the team together. Grant Hill holds the same position on the men’s team.
We are very, very excited about Sue for many reasons. Her pedigree and position in the sport are very strong. Not only in women’s basketball, but in all of sports. She is a tremendous leader, and we are very happy that she has taken this on for us.
Jim Tooley, CEO of USA Basketball
The men’s team has had a general manager for two decades, with Jerry Colangelo in that position from 2005 to 2021 before Hill took over.
She herself has five Olympic gold medals and understands what it implies. Having the CEO position facilitates working with the staff for the long-term vision of the program. It’s difficult to do that with a committee that comes and goes and meets a handful of times.
Jim Tooley, CEO of USA Basketball
Tooley said Bird’s term will be four years, the same as the Olympic cycle.
The shift to this structure has been in process for some years, well before the decision not to select Caitlin Clark for the 2024 Paris Games team, which upset some people.
The discussions occurred after the ’21 Olympics, and Sue served on the board of directors the past four years. We had discussions about the CEO role, and we sat down with her for a while and she gave it a lot of consideration and thought. It’s a huge responsibility.
Jim Tooley, CEO of USA Basketball
Bird said she is used to the pressure of USA Basketball, where it’s basically win a gold medal or fail. The Americans have won eight in a row, including at the Paris Games.
This is a different kind of pressure. I hope to bring everything I learned as a player, all my experience, all my understanding. The goal is to win a gold medal, and sometimes it feels like that’s the only option. I know what it’s like to be a player, I know what it’s like as a player to build teams and get teams to come together and see what works.
Sue Bird
Before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Americans will play in the FIBA World Cup in Germany next year. The first qualifying event will take place in November. In addition to determining which players will be on that team, Bird will have to decide who will coach the team. There is no clear option at this time.
Of course, I’ve started thinking about it, jotting down some names here and there. It’s the first priority, no doubt. There are many qualified coaches in college and the WNBA.
Sue Bird
Bird said he doesn’t have a specific timeline to have a coach in place.
