USA Basketball names Duke's Kara Lawson as women's national team head coach
Lawson won an Olympic gold medal as a player at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and will now coach Team USA in its pursuit of a 10th straight gold medal in 2028.
USA Basketball announced that Duke coach Kara Lawson has been named the head coach of the women's national team on Monday.
Lawson, 44, takes over for Cheryl Reeve, who coached the women's national team to a ninth consecutive gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I will work tirelessly to uphold the standards of this storied program," Lawson in the official announcement. "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," she added. "I look forward to meeting them head on."
Introducing the 13th head coach of the USA Basketball Women's National Team, @karalawson20! ???????? #USABWNTpic.twitter.com/noS41Cq4Yo— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 22, 2025
Lawson already has experience coaching international basketball. She was the head coach of Team USA in the 3x3 basketball tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, helping lead the United to a gold medal win over China. Additionally, Lawson was an assistant coach on Reeve's staff for the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup and the 2024 Summer Games.
This story will be updated with more information.
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