NEW YORK — Sue Bird is ready to welcome the next generation of American basketball stars to Team USA. Bird, who was announced Thursday as the managing director for the U.S. women’s national team, signaled her openness to bring Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and other American young talent into the fold as she takes on her role.

Team USA has officially named former basketball star Sue Bird as the new managing director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. The announcement was made Thursday morning on X by the official USA Basketball account, which shared a congratulatory message along with a video of Bird discussing her new role.