In a fiery statement that echoes his legendary trash-talking days, NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird unleashed on USA Basketball Tuesday slamming the organization for what he called a “total disregard” for merit in selecting its 18-player training camp roster for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup cycle. The Celtic s icon, a three-time MVP known for his unerring sharpshooting, zeroed in on one glaring omission: Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell, widely regarded as the WNBA’s premier marksman.
“This is a joke,” Bird, 69, told reporters at a Pacers alumni event in Indianapolis. “Kelsey’s the best shooter in the league—bar none. She’s lighting up nets from anywhere, carrying her team deep into playoffs, and they treat her like she’s invisible? USA Basketball’s lost the plot. It’s politics over performance, and it disrespects the game I love. Put the damn shooters in!”
Bird’s ire stems from USA Basketball’s November 24 announcement of the camp roster, set for Duke University December 12-14. The list boasts stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Chelsea Gray, but conspicuously excludes Mitchell, who in 2025 led the Fever in scoring with 22.1 points per game, including a blistering 40.7% from three on 7.2 attempts. Her playoff heroics—averaging 26.3 points against the Las Vegas Aces—propelled Indiana to the semifinals, yet selectors overlooked her for the invite-only squad.
Mitchell’s snub hits harder amid her recent bombshell: signing with upstart global league Project B, launching in 2026. “Perfect timing,” one X user quipped, linking the move to perceived USA slight. Fans erupted online, with posts decrying the decision as “egregious disrespect” and comparisons to Bird’s own overlooked moments in the ’80s.
Bird, a Fever co-owner since 2013, has mentored Mitchell, praising her “ice-cold” clutch gene reminiscent of his Celtics prime. “She’s got that Hickory High grit,” he added, referencing his Hoosier roots. Critics, including WNBA analysts, argue the roster favors versatility over specialization, but Bird dismissed it: “Versatile? Tell that to the scoreboard when shots aren’t falling.”
As the WNBA surges in popularity, Bird’s broadside amplifies calls for transparency in selections. Mitchell, unfazed, tweeted: “Grateful for the journey. Eyes on the prize ahead.” With Project B luring talents like Nneka Ogwumike, could this rift signal a seismic shift? For now, Bird’s voice—raw and resolute—reminds all: in basketball, the arc of the ball doesn’t lie.
