The quest for international basketball glory has intensified in the United States and Canada this past week. Here’s a round up of the big national team news:
Sue Bird tasked with tough Team USA decisions in new role
Congratulations to Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong for making the USA Basketball Women’s National Team for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Quite possibly, Diana Taurasi will also be a member of the team, coming out of retirement to go for another gold.
Yes, that might be an exaggeration of the accusations of UConn nepotism that has infected USA Basketball over the years. And despite her #BleedBlue roots, Sue Bird is more than qualified to objectively serve as the first-ever managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team.
Bird, a five-time gold medalist for Team USA, will be charged with compiling the coaching staff and roster for the women’s national team ahead of international competitions, a role that has existed on the men’s side since 2005 and currently is occupied by Grant Hill; previously, a committee made these decisions.
According to USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley, the organization has been planning to establish a women’s managing director since after the 2021 Olympics…
