Team USA has enjoyed an incredible run in women’s basketball over the last thirty-plus years, having won gold medals during every Summer Olympics since 1992, when they won a bronze medal in Spain.
With a rich history of talented and heavily invested current and former women’s players, Team USA is positioned to be a major player on the international scene for years to come.
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On Wednesday, news broke of Team USA’s recent decision to hire a legend of the sport, a former Connecticut Huskies star who is known for her high scoring output and upbeat personality as one of the game’s most celebrated athletes.
Sue Bird (right) watches the 2024 Olympics with Megan Rapinoe. © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
“USA Basketball will announce Sue Bird as the managing director for the women’s national team, a source confirmed to FOS,” the X page Front Office Sports said Wednesday.
“Previously, the women’s team and coaching staff was named by committee —now, that will be Bird’s job.”
Bird, coached by Geno Auriemma at Connecticut, holds WNBA records for most starts and assists.
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Bird played 19 WNBA seasons, earning 13 trips to the All-Star Game. She is the WNBA’s all-time winningest player, winning championships with the Seattle Storm in 2004, 2010, 2018 and 2020; the only WNBA player to win titles in three different decades.
She’s won five gold medals with Team USA, during the 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, and is considered one of the most successful women’s players of all-time.
“Long overdue,” a fan said on X.
“Committee should have been disbanded after the Candace Parker fiasco (Olympic team snub)…Sue is pragmatic. Solid choice,” they said.
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