NEW YORK – His Bird is giving another assist to US basketball, becoming CEO of the national women’s team.
The five -time Olympic champion has been appointed in the position just created on Thursday and marks a big change in the way the organization creates its list and coaching staff.
“I played for the United States basketball for so long and I have always had a lot of fun with them,” Bird said at the Associated Press. “I love to represent my country. I love being competitive on that phase. Having the opportunity to do it in a different role is exciting.”
Before the change, a committee made those decisions, but now in a move similar to the one that the national male team of the United States does, Bird will be responsible for putting things together. Grant Hill has the same role on the side of men.
“We are really enthusiastic about so many reasons,” said Jim Tooley, the United States basketball CEO. “His pedigree and standing in sport are so strong. Not only in women’s basketball, but in all sport. He is an exceptional leader, and we are very excited to have taken it for us.”
The men’s team had a managing director for two decades with Jerry Colangelo at this point from 2005 to 2021 before Hill takes over.
“He had five Olympic gold medals alone and understands what he is involved,” said Tooley. “Having the position of CEO makes it easier to work with the staff for long -term vision of the program. It is difficult to do it with a committee that goes and meets a handful of times.”
Tooley said that Bird’s mandate will be for four years, the same as the Olympic cycle.
The modification to this structure is in progress for a few years, well before the decision not to select Caitlin Clark For the Paris Games team of 2024 that has left some people upset.
“The discussions took place after the ’21 Olympics and Sue served in the Ultima Quad scoreboard,” said Tooley. “We discussed the role of the CEO and we sat with her a little and she gave a lot of consideration and thought. It is a huge responsibility.”
Bird said he is used to the U.S. basketball pressure where a medal or gold bust practically wins. The Americans won eight deliveries, also at the Paris games.
“This is a different type of pressure,” he said. “I hope to bring everything I learned as a player, all my experience, all my understanding. The entire goal is to win a gold medal, and sometimes it seems that it is the only option … I know what it means to be a player, knowing how it is as a player to build teams and make the teams come and see what he clicking.”
Before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Americans will play at the Fiba World Cup in Germany next year. The first qualification event will take place in November. In addition to understanding which players will be in that team, Bird will have to decide who will train the team. There is no clear choice right now.
“Obviously I started thinking about it, noting some names here and there,” Bird said. “It is the first priority without a doubt. There are so many coaches qualified for college and Wnba.”
Bird said he doesn’t have a specific period of time to have an ongoing coach.