The WNBA’s rise and reach are massive. The league already set a record for highest attendance in the 2025 season and had multiple foreign players on rosters. The rise of women’s basketball, including the EuroLeague and other leagues, made the competition fierce. As the dominant force in women’s basketball, Team USA won gold in 2020 and later finished third in the recent 2024 Olympics. The authorities put Elena Delle Donne in charge of personnel decisions for the national team.
The former Washington Mystics star has been part of the USA women’s basketball team since 2011 and won a gold medal in Rio in 2016. The USA Women’s basketball authorities declared the decision on Monday.
USA Women’s Basketball Names Elena Delle Donne As Managing Director
Team USA’s third-place finish in the 3X3 basketball at the Paris Olympics prompted a change in leadership. The USA Women’s Basketball made a decision and appointed the two-time MVP as the team’s Managing Director.
“Elena has been a member of the USA Basketball family for almost 15 years. Her wealth of knowledge of the sport of basketball and our organization will be an asset as we continue our journey to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said in a statement.
Delle Donne was a special adviser for the Washington basketball teams, including the Mystics and Wizards, after retiring from the action before the start of the 2025 season. She won WNBA championships in 2019 with the Washington team and made seven All-Star selections in her 11-season career.
2016 Olympic gold medalist & 2018 World champion @De11eDonne will be the first managing director of the USA 3×3 Women’s National Team.
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) September 15, 2025
» https://t.co/QDKc0ARWMN
In the role, EDD will identify #3x3WNT coaching staff & players for major international competitions through 2028. pic.twitter.com/gZpM54EHDz
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The two-time MVP will oversee every personnel decision regarding the women’s national 3×3 team, which includes coaching staff and players. Her current tenure includes many major tournaments like the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, FIBA 3×3 World Cup, the FIBA 3×3 pro circuit, FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup, and FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup.
Elena Delle Donne Reacts To Selection For The National Duty
The 36-year-old forward last played with the Mystics and was inactive in the 2024 season before declaring retirement before the 2025 season. After the selection, the former Delaware team expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
“Thank you to USA Basketball for trusting me with this role. I’m excited to get started. USA Basketball was an important part of my on-court career for a decade and a half. To have the opportunity to continue my journey with the organization, and to help shape and grow the 3×3 program, is something that I take very seriously,” Delle Donne said
Sue Bird will manage the senior basketball team, while Delle Donne will make decisions regarding the 3X3 tournaments.