Sue Bird discusses Olivia Miles exclusion from the FIBA World Cup roster

Team USA managing director Sue Bird addressed the omission of Olivia Miles from the national basketball roster ahead of the FIBA World Cup. Bird participated in a discussion on the Welcome To The Party YouTube channel where she outlined her approach to communicating roster decisions to players. While Miles remains a central figure in WNBA rookie conversations due to her high scoring and assist averages, reports suggest her absence stems from missing senior training camps. Bird stated that her relationships with players, including newer connections like Miles, guided the difficult selection process for the 12-player squad. Despite the exclusion, the team maintains its depth with the addition of Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. The selection process prioritized familiarity with coaching systems as the team prepares for tournament competition.

• 2:35 PMYahoo Sports — Sue Bird addresses Olivia Miles relationship after Team USA snub