Kara Lawson: From Player to USA Women’s Head Coach — What’s New
New Role & What It Means
- Kara Lawson, currently head coach of Duke University’s women’s basketball program, has been named the Head Coach of the U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team for the 2025–2028 cycle. (Bullets Forever)
- She will lead Team USA through two major upcoming international events: the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. (CBSSports.com)
- Lawson succeeds Cheryl Reeve, who coached Team USA through its 2024 Olympic gold campaign.
Her Credentials & Track Record
- Lawson brings to this role a long and varied resume: she is an Olympic gold medalist (2008, as a player).
- She’s also been part of USA Basketball in coaching roles:
- Head coach of the 3×3 team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which won gold. (Duke Basketball Report)
- Assistant coach on the USA Women’s team during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- At Duke, her performance has been strong: since taking over in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, she has compiled a solid record (97-41 at the time of the announcement) and led the Blue Devils to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. (Reuters)
Her Vision & Challenges
- Lawson has emphasized how honored she is to take this role. She said: “To win a gold medal as a player was amazing … I think that is what drives you because you know how great that feels and you want the players you coach to experience that. You get to have this permanent memory in your sport and so the goal is to try to help them create that for themselves at the different world events.”
- She acknowledges that international women’s basketball has become more competitive, and the depth of talent in the U.S. makes earning a place on the roster extremely difficult. (ESPN.com)
Other Recent Involvements
- Earlier in 2025, Lawson was already head coach for Team USA at the Women’s AmeriCup. She led a young roster and worked with assistants DeLisha Milton-Jones and Jennie Baranczyk. (SB Nation)
- The AmeriCup served not just as a chance to win but also as preparation and evaluation for Lawson as she transitions into the head coach of the full senior program. (SB Nation)
What’s at Stake & What to Watch
- Lawson will need to mold a roster from a deep pool of talent, balancing veterans with rising stars, to maintain USA’s dominance in international women’s basketball.
- She’ll coach the team through the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics — two monumental stages where expectations will be high.
- How she manages the increased competition globally, adjusts strategies for international play, and assembles a coaching staff will all be closely watched.
