In a move that has electrified the women’s basketball community, Kara Lawson has been named the head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028, positioning her at the helm for both the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin and the highly anticipated 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The announcement, made on September 22, 2025, signals a new era for Team USA, as Lawson’s storied career as both player and coach brings a blend of championship pedigree and innovative leadership to the nation’s most decorated basketball program.
Lawson’s appointment was the result of a thorough selection process led by Sue Bird, USA Basketball Women’s National Team managing director, and received unanimous approval from the USA Basketball Board of Directors. The move has been met with widespread acclaim, with Bird herself stating, “I am so excited to welcome Kara Lawson as the next head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team. Having shared the court with her, I know firsthand the leadership, competitive spirit and basketball IQ that she brings. Kara has always had the respect of her teammates and her players, something she has earned and demonstrated over decades with USA Basketball as a player, 3x3 coach and assistant coach. I can’t wait to work with her and continue to build on the tradition of excellence that USA Basketball stands for.”
Lawson’s journey to the top of the coaching world is nothing short of remarkable. After launching her coaching career as an assistant for the Boston Celtics in 2019, she took over the Duke University women’s basketball program in 2020. In just a few short years, she transformed the Blue Devils from a team that had missed consecutive NCAA Tournaments for the first time since the early 1990s into a perennial contender. Under her guidance, Duke posted a 26-win season in her third year, reached the Sweet 16 in 2024, and soared to the Elite Eight in 2025. Most recently, Lawson led Duke to the 2025 ACC tournament championship, cementing her reputation as one of the brightest coaching minds in the college game. With a 97-41 overall record and three straight 20-win seasons, Lawson’s impact on the Blue Devils has been both immediate and profound.
But it’s not just Lawson’s coaching prowess that sets her apart. Her playing career is equally decorated. A two-time All-American and four-time All-SEC honoree at the University of Tennessee under the legendary Pat Summitt, Lawson helped lead the Lady Volunteers to three NCAA Final Four appearances (2000, 2002, 2003) and four consecutive SEC regular season and tournament titles. She was selected No. 5 overall by the Detroit Shock in the 2003 WNBA Draft, embarking on a 13-season professional career that saw her win the 2005 WNBA championship with the Sacramento Monarchs and earn three Olympic gold medals as a player, including a memorable triumph at the 2008 Beijing Games.
Lawson’s connection to USA Basketball runs deep. Her involvement began back in 1998 as a high school player at the World Youth Games. Since then, she’s accumulated an astonishing 13 gold medals across various roles, including as a player and coach. As a coach, Lawson led the American 3x3 Olympic team to gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games, steered Team USA to 10 gold medals at multiple FIBA 3x3 World Cups, and played a key role in the 2019 Pan American Games (3x3) and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (3x3). She also served as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games, further solidifying her credentials on the international stage.
“I am honored to be selected as the head coach of the Women’s National Team for this cycle,” Lawson said in a statement released by Duke University. “I want to thank Sue Bird, General Dempsey and the USA Basketball Board of Directors, Jim Tooley and Briana Gould for this tremendous opportunity. I will work tirelessly to uphold the standards of this storied program. There is no greater honor in our sport than to be chosen to lead the U.S. women in world competition. I understand the responsibility and the challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to meeting them head on.”
Lawson’s appointment comes at a time when the U.S. women’s basketball program is riding a wave of dominance on the world stage. Team USA has claimed seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and remains the benchmark for international excellence. Yet, with the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics looming, the pressure to maintain that standard is immense. Lawson is well aware of the expectations. “This has been something I’ve worked towards for a long time. I’m thankful to all of the players that I’ve had the opportunity to coach and all of the coaches I’ve learned from. There is nothing more important than pushing this group to reach its potential. I can’t wait to get started!” she emphasized.
Her former coach at Tennessee, the late Pat Summitt, is a figure Lawson credits as a foundational influence on her approach both on and off the court. Drawing on Summitt’s relentless drive and commitment to excellence, Lawson has built her own legacy as a leader who demands the best from her players while fostering a culture of accountability and growth.
Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO, highlighted the breadth of Lawson’s international experience, saying, “Kara has been involved with USA Basketball dating back to 1998 as a high school player in the World Youth Games. Her international basketball experience is extensive, including 13 gold medals. To say her journey with us has been impressive is an understatement. I’m excited to watch Kara and Sue work together to deliver success at the World Cup in Berlin next fall and at the Olympic Games in L.A. in 2028.”
Looking ahead, Lawson’s responsibilities will extend beyond just tournament play. She will oversee Team USA during qualifiers, training camps, and exhibition games throughout the Olympic cycle, shaping the next generation of American basketball stars. The Duke women’s basketball team, meanwhile, is set to kick off its 2025 season on November 3 against Baylor in Paris, France, as part of the Oui-Play Paris 2025 event, a testament to the program’s growing international profile under Lawson’s leadership.
With a resume that spans Olympic triumphs, WNBA championships, and collegiate success, Kara Lawson’s appointment as head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team feels like the perfect fit for a program that expects nothing less than greatness. As the countdown to Berlin 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 begins, one thing is clear: Team USA is in capable, passionate hands, and the basketball world will be watching every step of the way.