Legendary Sue Bird transitions from player to strategist, guiding the next generation of USA Basketball stars at a pivotal training camp.
Sue Bird’s first week back in a gym after having her UConn jersey retired looked familiar at a glance, but everything about her role was different.
Instead of lacing up sneakers, Bird stood courtside at Duke University this week as the managing director of the U.S. women’s national basketball team, beginning her tenure with a three-day training camp that offered an early look at the program’s future. The camp, held Dec. 12–14, marked Bird’s first extended opportunity to observe players and coaches from a leadership position she formally assumed in May.
The timing underscored how quickly her transition has unfolded. Less than a week after being honored for her college career, Bird was back inside a practice setting, learning how to operate on the other side of the clipboard.
Bird acknowledged that the shift has required its own adjustment period, even in the familiar surroundings of USA Basketball.
“I’ve definitely had some moments where it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m not a player anymore. This is totally different,’” Bird said Thursday. “Like, oh, I kind of have to wear all my team-issued stuff now. But for the most part, it’s been great. Everybody with USA Basketball has been super helpful.”
Bird’s appointment as managing director created a new layer of continuity for the national team program, placing long-term planning and roster development under a single voice. One of her first major responsibilities was selecting a head coach, a process that resulted in Duke’s Kara Lawson being named to guide the five-on-five program through the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
With that foundation established, Bird’s focus has shifted to evaluation and culture-building, beginning with this camp and extending toward the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March. For now, Bird said her priority is observation rather than intervention, allowing players to acclimate to the environment while she takes note of dynamics on and off the court.
That approach is particularly relevant given the number of players attending their first senior national team camp. Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and USC guard JuJu Watkins are among a group experiencing the setting for the first time. Watkins is sidelined by injury, while Clark continues her recovery, but Bird emphasized that participation extends beyond live minutes.
“It’s just a great opportunity to get their first feel, to get their first taste,” Bird said.
Notably absent were several established stars, including A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Bird cautioned against reading too much into those omissions, noting that the current stage of the calendar allows for flexibility as players balance professional and personal obligations.
“In the landscape of women’s basketball, which is ever-changing, offseason opportunities are ever-changing,” Bird said. “I don’t think any player that you might think would have been here, not being here, has larger meaning.”
Rather than narrowing the focus, Bird described the camp as part of a broader strategy to expand the player pool ahead of major competitions. The goal, she said, is familiarity — ensuring athletes have exposure to the program well before final roster decisions are made.
“We try to get multiple camps in throughout a year,” Bird said. “You want to have everybody get a taste of it, so there’s carryover. By the time you get to a World Cup, people will have been involved at some point and have that feel for it.”
While younger players drew much of the attention, the presence of veterans such as Kahleah Copper, Kelsey Plum, Brionna Jones and Jackie Young played an equally important role. Bird pointed to their influence in establishing expectations that extend beyond drills and schemes.
“This is when the veterans really come alive,” Bird said. “They’ve been there. They know what it’s like. With the way they act and the way they can be vocal, they’re going to teach the younger players.”
Lawson was joined on the floor by assistant coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White, forming a staff designed to blend professional, collegiate and international experience.
For Bird, the camp was less about immediate outcomes and more about setting a baseline. Her playing days are over, but her presence remains central to USA Basketball — now focused on shaping the program’s next era rather than leading it from the point.