Sue Bird taking on new career challenge with USA Basketball ‘puzzle’

For years, Sue Bird called the shots on the court as a point guard. Now, the legendary WNBA star will be doing it off the court for USA Basketball. 

On Thursday, Bird was appointed USA Basketball’s first managing director for the women’s national team. 

For years, the women’s national team roster and coaching staff had been selected by a committee.

But that will change moving forward as Bird will lead those decisions, starting with next year’s World Cup in Berlin. 

“I know what I bring, I know what my perspective gives, and I know what my experience can provide, and there’s also things that I need to learn,” Bird said during a press conference at Nike NYC Headquarters in Manhattan. “There’s also things I want to talk to other people, pick brains, maybe ask people what their experiences have been like, so that combination will probably be my next however many months.” 

Bird, a five-time Olympic champion, wasn’t initially interested in the opportunity when USA Basketball first approached her about it shortly after she retired from playing in 2022. 

Grant Hill, who held the position on the men’s side from 2021 to 2024, has been recruiting Bird to join USA Basketball as an executive for some time now.

His efforts got to the point where Bird called him an “annoying older brother.” 

But as time passed, Bird opened up to the idea. 

“The exact amount of months, years, when they first brought this up is a little blurry, but I hadn’t been retired that long, and I still very much felt like a player,” Bird said. “I hadn’t really made that adjustment in my mind. So the idea of picking a team, I was like, ‘What? I don’t want any part of that.’ So I think just time naturally did that, but also talking to Grant really played a big role in just making me see things in a different way.” 

Liberty star Breanna Stewart, who played alongside Bird for several seasons in Seattle, believes she’s a perfect fit for this role. 

“Not only has she played [and] she has the player perspective, but she’s watching all the time,” Stewart said after practice. “She knows the best pieces to kind of put the puzzle together, and I’m happy for her and happy that I’ll be able to work alongside her.” 

Stewart said she once again wants to suit up for Team USA in next year’s World Cup. She also has her eyes set on the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. 

Bird is assuming the managing director role at a time when there’s plenty of young star power in the pipeline.

She said she’s open to integrate Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers into the women’s national team pool ahead of the 2028 Olympics. 

“Any player that is interested in being part of the national team, of course, is welcome,” Bird said. “You just want talent and you want to see which talent when they come together is going to fit. Of course, Caitlin. Of course, Paige. I mean, the names go on — you want them to be involved as quickly as possible to get comfortable. 

“USA Basketball, from a player standpoint, can be an uncomfortable situation because we don’t have a lot of training time and you’re asked to do possibly, potentially, a different role, and you’re trying to do that on the fly.”