May 19, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne (11) drives to the basket as New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) defends in the third quarter at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images USA Basketball appointed former WNBA Most Valuable Player Elena Delle Donne as its first managing director for the 3×3 women’s national team Monday.
Delle Donne officially retired earlier this year — she hadn’t played since 2023 due in part to health concerns — and now the longtime Washington Mystics star will take on an active role in guiding Team USA’s efforts in women’s 3×3 hoops.
“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 news release. “Thank you to USA Basketball for trusting me with this role. I’m excited to get started.”
Delle Donne was unanimously approved by the governing body’s board of directors and rounds out a group of ex-players in key leadership roles at USA Basketball.
Grant Hill has served as the managing director of the men’s national team since 2021; Jimmer Fredette was named the 3×3 men’s national team’s managing director in May; and Sue Bird was selected as the first managing director of the women’s national team, also in May.
Delle Donne will soon “identify USA 3×3 Women’s National Team coaching staff and players,” according to USA Basketball. The biggest international competition on the horizon, of course, is the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Team USA also competes in FIBA competitions like the 3×3 World Cup, the 3×3 Champions Cup and the 3×3 AmeriCup.
Three-on-three basketball, officially abbreviated as 3×3, was first staged at the Olympics in 2020. The United States women’s team won gold that year but settled for Bronze last year in Paris, when Germany took gold.
Delle Donne, 36, spent her 10-season WNBA career with the Chicago Sky (2013-16) and Mystics (2017-19, 2021-23), with whom she won the 2019 WNBA title along with her second MVP award following her first award in 2015.
A member of the WNBA 25th Anniversary Team and the first WNBA player to post a 50-40-90 shooting season, Delle Donne averaged 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for her career.
–Field Level Media
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