After a poor showing at the 2024 Summer Olympics, which saw the U.S. Women’s National 3×3 Basketball team finish with a bronze medal, USA Basketball has named two-time WNBA MVP and seven-time All-Star Elena Delle Donne the team’s first managing director.
Delle Donne’s role will have her oversee essentially every personnel decision regarding the women’s national 3×3 team, including coaching staff and players for major international tournaments. That includes the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, FIBA 3×3 World Cup, FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup, FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup, and the FIBA 3×3 pro circuit.
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Delle Donne has expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “Thank you to USA Basketball for trusting me with this role. I’m excited to get started.” She added, “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.”
USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley is also excited about the board’s unanimous decision to anoint Delle Donne as team director. He says, “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.”
Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne drives to the basket as New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones defends in the third quarter at Entertainment & Sports Arena.
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Elena Delle Donne’s history with USA Basketball
Delle Donne began her career with USA Basketball with a gold medal at the World University Games in 2011, while she was a student at the University of Delaware. She also won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and earned a World Cup title with the U.S. women’s national team in 2018.
Elena Delle Donne WNBA stats
Delle Donne was a two-time MVP (2015, 2019), seven-time All-Star, and Rookie of the Year (2013) in the WNBA. She also finished top-ten in MVP voting in 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2018 to go along with her two MVPs as well.
Delle Donne was part of the Washington Mystics’ 2019 championship team as well, leading the team in points per game (19.5) and rebounds per game (8.2).
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When did Elena Delle Donne retire?
Delle Donne announced her retirement from the WNBA on April 4, 2025. She did not play during the 2024 WNBA season.
Delle Donne joining Sue Bird as directors for USA Basketball
Delle Donne isn’t the only WNBA legend taking on a managing role for USA Basketball. In May this year, Sue Bird was named the women’s national team managing director.
Bird will be the traditional women’s team director while Delle Donne will take on the role for the 3×3 team.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elena Delle Donne named director of USA 3X3 women’s basketball
