WNBA legend Elena Delle Donne is returning to the court, with USA Basketball announcing on Monday that the two-time league MVP will join the 3×3 Women’s National Team as its first-ever managing director.
The 36-year-old officially retired in April 2025 after struggling with injuries, capping a career that spanned winning gold at the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 FIBA World Cup with Team USA as well as two WNBA championships.
“Elena has been a member of the USA Basketball family for almost 15 years,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said in Monday’s press release. “Her wealth of knowledge of the sport of basketball and our organization will be an asset as we continue our journey.”
As part of her duties, Delle Donne will be responsible for selecting the USA Basketball 3×3 team’s coaching staff and players prior to the 2028 LA Olympics, the FIBA 3×3 World Cup, and other major international competitions.
“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. “I’m excited to get started.”
Delle Donne’s new position is the 3×3 version of fellow WNBA icon Sue Bird’s role, as the newly minted Hall of Famer became the managing director of the USA Basketball women’s 5×5 arm in May.
“To now think that I’m going to be on the other side of the phone letting someone know that their dream has come true and they’ve made the team is going to be such a fulfilling, full circle moment for me,” Delle Donne said.