Five -time Olympic gold medalist So Bard was named the first managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team on Thursday.
The 44 -year -old bird spent two decades with the national team and won 11 international medals, making him the most decorated athlete in FIBA history. She retired after the 2022 season, with a two -time national champion in Uconn and a four -time WNBA champion.
“It’s really exciting. I know how to represent his country as a player,” said Bird. “I know what it looks like to stand on the podium as a player. So now that I have retired, to be able to make an impact, to continue to represent the country (this) to continue to represent the country and a gold medal organization seems like a natural next step for me.”
He is also a member of the 2025 class of the Nismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
His new role will include the national team roster together and identifying the coaching staff for upcoming international competitions. The next FIBA World Cup competition will be held in September 2026, with Los Angeles Summer Olympics 2028.
Bird said that she intends to attract what she has learned from the coaches he has played and the general manager who has influenced his teams. And he also has his own huge experience to guide him.
Bird said, “I know the USA likes to win with basketball … I have played different roles during my USA basketball experience, so I know that it likes to be a young player, old player and everything in the middle.” “This is really where I think my role will show the most.
“The way I played the game as a point guard, it was about finding chemistry within these USA basketball teams, who do not get a ton of time to train together, which is one of the greatest challenges.
And she was talking about her career path through indifferent basketball.
Bird said, “Winning the gold medal – there is nothing really like that. There is nothing like representing your country, there is nothing like keeping that medal in your neck.” “I am really excited to play a role in it and meet others to see experiences, knowing that I will have some small part in it.”
-Bield level media
