USA Basketball made headlines on Monday, September 22, 2025, with the announcement that Kara Lawson, the accomplished Duke women’s basketball coach, will take the reins as head coach of the U.S. women’s national basketball team. Lawson, 44, steps into the role after Cheryl Reeve’s successful tenure, which culminated in an eighth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With Lawson’s appointment, the program turns a new page, but the expectations remain sky-high as the team eyes a ninth straight Olympic gold on home soil at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
This appointment isn’t just another coaching change—it’s a historic one. Lawson becomes only the second Black head coach in the history of the women’s national team, following in the footsteps of Dawn Staley, who led Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Tokyo. Lawson’s deep ties to the sport and USA Basketball run decades long, making her a fitting choice for this prestigious position. "There is no greater honor in our sport than to be chosen to lead the U.S. women in world competition," Lawson stated in the official announcement. "I will work tirelessly to uphold the standards of this storied program. I understand the responsibility and the challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to meeting them head on."
Lawson’s resume is as impressive as they come. As a player, she was a force to be reckoned with—capturing a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she led Team USA with 15 points in the championship bout against Australia. Her professional playing career spanned 13 seasons in the WNBA, including a 2005 championship win with the Sacramento Monarchs. Drafted fifth overall by the Detroit Shock in 2003, Lawson also made stops with the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics, earning respect and accolades along the way.
But Lawson’s impact extends far beyond her playing days. Her coaching journey began after a stint in broadcasting, where she served as an analyst for the Sacramento Kings, ESPN, and the Washington Wizards. She then joined Brad Stevens’ staff as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics before taking the head coaching position at Duke in 2020. In just five seasons with the Blue Devils, Lawson has led the team to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including a recent Elite Eight run, three straight 20-win seasons, and an overall record of 97-41. The 2025 season was particularly sweet as Duke captured its first ACC Tournament championship under her leadership.
Lawson’s international coaching experience is equally impressive. She was the head coach of Team USA’s 3x3 basketball squad at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, guiding the team to a gold medal over China. Her success with the 3x3 team also includes gold at the 2019 PanAm Games and the FIBA Women’s World Cup. As an assistant coach, Lawson contributed to gold medal runs at both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, working closely with Reeve’s staff and gaining valuable experience on the world’s biggest stage.
Her familiarity with the pressure cooker of Olympic competition is a major asset. "There's nothing like the pressure of big competition, and so I love the fact that I have the experience, the Olympic experience of a gold medal game and semifinal game and the pressure of being the overwhelming favorite and having to come through," Lawson told ESPN. "Having been through that as a player, and as the 3-on-3 head coach, and an assistant last year in Paris, I think anytime you get reps at the highest level, it's valuable. And, being in those battles with those high-quality players means you kind of have a feel for their competitive fibers and what makes them tick. Hopefully they feel a bit of comfortability with me as well."
The timing of Lawson’s appointment is significant for several reasons. Not only will she guide the U.S. women through the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Germany, but she’ll also lead preparations for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The qualifying tournament for the World Cup is set for March 2026, which overlaps with the NCAA Tournament—a potential scheduling headache since Lawson will still be coaching at Duke. In such a scenario, an assistant coach is expected to step in for the qualifiers, but Lawson remains the program’s guiding force.
Lawson’s selection as head coach was the first official move by Sue Bird, the Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer who began her tenure as managing director of the USA Basketball women’s national team earlier this year. Bird and Lawson’s relationship is storied, dating back to their childhoods in the Northeast and evolving from friendly rivalry to Olympic teammates. "We've known each other since we were 9 years old," Lawson said of Bird. "And we've always had a healthy respect for each other." Bird’s faith in Lawson is unwavering: "I think her resume, her experience, it all kind of speaks for itself. When you start to learn about Kara and what she’s been a part of from a USA Basketball standpoint, that experience specifically made it really clear she's the right person to lead us into the next cycle."
Lawson’s influence on the next generation of stars is already apparent. She’s coached rising talents like Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, Rickea Jackson, Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, and Jackie Young through USA Basketball’s 3-on-3 programs. Her ability to connect with both established veterans and up-and-coming players could prove invaluable as she assembles her coaching staff and roster for the coming cycle. "Assembling a great staff for the national team is of the utmost importance," Lawson noted. "I’ll lean on that staff a lot through that cycle. ... You have to have great coaches around you, have great players around you. We have the ability to do both and that will be our challenge. Find the right group that will fit."
Lawson’s basketball roots trace back to her days as a point guard at Tennessee, where she played under the legendary Pat Summitt. She credits Summitt’s influence for much of her coaching philosophy and approach. The connection to Summitt is especially poignant, as Summitt coached the U.S. women to gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Now, Lawson will have the opportunity to lead Team USA at a home Olympics for the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Games—a rare and thrilling honor. "The opportunity to lead the American side in Los Angeles in a home Olympics is more added icing on the cake. What an incredible opportunity not just for me as a coach, but the other coaches on the staff, the players that get to play in a home Olympics as well. It’s a very unique opportunity that your country doesn’t get very often," Lawson reflected.
Of course, there’s no shortage of pressure. The U.S. women’s team has won 60 consecutive Olympic games and remains the gold standard in international basketball. With the rest of the world closing the gap, Lawson’s experience and leadership will be tested like never before. Yet, if her journey through the ranks of playing, broadcasting, and coaching is any indication, Lawson is more than ready for the challenge. As she awaits formal approval from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and begins assembling her staff, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting new era for USA Basketball. The countdown to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is officially on, and all eyes are on Kara Lawson to lead the red, white, and blue to even greater heights.
