Elena Delle Donne is back with USA Basketball.
The former WNBA star and Olympics star was named the first managing director of the USA 3×3 Women’s National Team on Monday.
Delle Donne will now be tasked with finding the next coaching staff and players for future events, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Her appointment came shortly after former BYU star Jimmer Fredette was named the managing director for the men’s 3×3 team.
“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 in a statement. “Thank you to USA Basketball for trusting me with this role. I’m excited to get started.”
3×3 basketball made its debut at the 2020 Olympics in Japan, and the U.S. women’s team won gold right away. They fell short in Paris last Summer, though, and ended up winning bronze behind Germany and Spain. Dearica Hamby, Cierra Burdick, Hailey Van Lith and Rhyne Howard made up the team in France. The men’s team — made up of Fredette, Reem Maddox, Canyon Barry and Dylan Travis — finished in seventh in Paris.
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Delle Donne was first selected by the Chicago Sky with the No. 2 overall pick in 2013. The seven-time All-Star won two league MVP awards throughout her career and helped lead the Washington Mystics to a WNBA title in 2019. She retired officially earlier this year, and has been working as a special advisor to the parent company of the Mystics and Washingotn Wizards.
Delle Donne also has been with USA Basketball since 2011, and she helped the US women’s team win gold at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
“From being an Olympic and World Cup gold medalist to WNBA champion, MVP and seven- time WNBA All-Star, Elena brings an impressive basketball pedigree to this role,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said in a statement. “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.”
