Elena Delle Donne has accepted a pivotal role with USA Basketball in a new capacity outside the court. As a two-time WNBA MVP and the 2016 Olympic gold medalist, she was officially presented as the inaugural managing director for the USA Basketball Women’s 3-on-3 national team. This appointment was unanimously approved by the board.

Delle Donne’s responsibilities will include determining coaches and athletes for international competitions leading up to 2028, highlighted by the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles, the FIBA 3-on-3 World Cup, and the FIBA 3-on-3 AmeriCup. She will also manage rosters for professional circuits and training camps.

“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-on-3 program, is something that I take very seriously,” Delle Donne remarked in an announcement, expressing gratitude to the organization for the trust placed in her.

The 3-on-3 format, which was introduced at the Olympics in Tokyo, has quickly captured the attention of USA Basketball. The U.S. women’s team secured a gold medal in 2021, though they finished with bronze in the previous Paris Games. Unlike the traditional 5-on-5 teams, Olympic qualification for 3-on-3 requires athletes to accumulate points at sanctioned events, adding complexity to team selection.

Delle Donne has been engaged with USA Basketball since 2011, initially winning a gold medal at the World University Games during her time at the University of Delaware. She subsequently helped the senior national team secure gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2018 FIBA World Cup.

Her WNBA career lasted a decade, where she was honored as a seven-time All-Star and twice named MVP, leading the Washington Mystics to their first championship in 2019. Following her retirement in April 2025, she took on the role of special advisor to Monumental Basketball, which is the parent company of the Mystics.

CEO Jim Tooley praised Delle Donne’s new position, emphasizing her deep connection to the organization along with her achievements at both international and professional levels. “Elena brings an impressive basketball pedigree to this role,” Tooley stated. “Her extensive knowledge about basketball and our organization will be instrumental as we move forward to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.”

Delle Donne’s first task in her newly appointed position will be to build a roster and select a coaching staff for the FIBA AmeriCup, which is slated to occur around Thanksgiving.