The FIBA Women's World Cup is all about giving more opportunities for stories.
Arguably the most decorated FIBA World Cup athlete in history, Sue Bird on Friday was introduced as the ambassador for the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026, taking the reins from 2022 representative Pau Gasol.
Bird is one of a handful of players to have won an Olympic gold medal, FIBA World Cup gold medal, WNBA title, and NCAA title. And after 21 years with USA Basketball with five Olympic gold medals and four FIBA Women's World Cup championships, she admitted it was surreal to now be known as a former player.
"Tell me about it!" she said after one reporter remarked on the strangeness of it all. "The beauty of playing a 20-year professional career is you know you did it as much as you could. There's nothing left."
"Now, as a former player, I feel just as passionate. There's gonna be another number 6 with more World Cups than me. And that's the point, right?" she said. "Some other girl right now sees any of the teams and can have that dream and try to see it."
From 12 teams in the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup in Australia, which saw the United States pick up an 11th title, the 2026 edition in Germany will be taking a cue from the men's tournament. And that means the field will be expanded to 16, with qualifying tournaments to be held for 24 squads.
"Women's basketball is at a really exciting moment. It's pivotal. No better way to be sitting here as ambassador to continue growing that game and ride that wave," Bird noted.
No doubt that part of Bird's success was buoyed by her four WNBA titles. But she says the growth of women's basketball in the world is not only through the US and European leagues.
"We have stories. There's so many incredible stories. Those haven't had the chance to be told," Bird said during the press conference. "That's how you build a fanbase and viewership. There's a lack of that in women's sports in general."
Ironically, there are plenty of detractors of women's basketball in the US citing an alleged lack of audience. But Bird pointed out to the record attendance of 145,519 people in Sydney to prove otherwise.
"Women's basketball fans are there. They're out there. They just haven't been able to have the access," she said. "The fans already exist. You don't have to convince them."
But girls don't always have the option to stay in sports. Asked about this matter, Bird was quick to give her reply.
"Everything I have learned in sports has segued its way into life, how to get along with people, how to set goals and achieve them," she explained. "I do acknowledge that time management becomes a thing as you get older. But staying in sports is gonna give you the life lessons you need."
And that would also require more opportunities presented by authorities, especially in developing countries.
"If more of those that are in charge view it that way, it would change where they put their resources, to put the importance on sports, especially for little girls who are gonna receive even less of the opportunity than boys," Bird pointed out.
"I wish people would view it more as a tool for education, a tool to better yourself, to become a more well-rounded person overall," she added.
"The best way to start it is to put emphasis on why this is good for younger people."
After all she has accomplished, it is safe to say Bird knows what she is talking about. Young girls around the world should take note. The people in charge should listen up.
Now is as good a time to give girls opportunities in sports.
(MDB)