Kara Lawson has been named head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028. Lawson, the head coach of the Duke University women’s basketball team, was selected by USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team managing director Sue Bird and was approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.
In addition to an Olympic gold medal as a player at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Lawson helped the USA claim gold medals as an assistant coach at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, Olympic Games Paris 2024 and, most recently, as head coach at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. Lawson also coached the USA Basketball 3x3 Women’s National Team to gold at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the first time 3x3 was contested at a Games.
“I am honored to be selected as the head coach of the Women’s National Team for this cycle,” Lawson said. “I want to thank Sue Bird, General Dempsey and the USA Basketball Board of Directors, Jim Tooley and Briana Gould for this tremendous opportunity.
“On behalf of the ACC, I want to congratulate Kara Lawson on her historic appointment as head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team," said ACC Commissioner Jim Philips. "Kara’s leadership, vision, and competitive spirit have long set her apart as both a player and coach. This is a tremendous personal achievement and a proud moment for Duke University and the entire ACC. Kara will represent USA Basketball with excellence and integrity, and we look forward to supporting her and the entire team.”
Lawson will lead the USA women at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin next fall and at the Olympics Games Los Angeles 2028.