Kara Lawson de Duke was appointed next head coach of the United States women’s team.
Lawson, who was deputy coach of the national team awarded by the gold medals in 2024 and gold medalist as a player in 2008, will lead the United States to all the main competitions leading to the 2028 summer games in Los Angeles.
“It was incredible to win a gold medal as a player, and one of the first goals I described when I was young,” Lawson told Espn. “I think that’s what motivates you because you know how great it’s and you want the players you train to experience it.
Lawson takes over the national team of the Minnesota Lynx coach, Cheryl Reeve, who guided women to their eighth gold medal following the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
Although the domination of the United States at the international level is unprecedented – America has won 60 consecutive Olympic Games – Lawson knows in the first hand, how close the rest of the world is to fill the gap.
Lawson was assistant in Reeve’s staff while the United States defeated France by the thinnest margins, 67-66, in the Paris gold medal match, when Gabby Williams walked on the 3-point line when she struck what would have been a 3-point pointer at the end of the regulation.
“The international match has never been so competitive on women,” said Lawson. “And I think that the list for American women has always been the most competitive list to make. I would say in any sport, this is the most difficult list to make. But that could be the most difficult in the most difficult list to make. Because there are so many good veterans who have won a lot for our country. And there are an incredible group of young players who are already in competition.”
Lawson led to a number of these young players in the 3-year-old basketball programs 3 at high school level and when he made his debut as Olympic Sport at Tokyo Summer Games in 2021.
Some of the young players with whom she worked then include Paige Bueckers from Dallas Wings, Aliyah Boston from Indiana, Rickea Jackson and Kelsey Plum from Los Angeles, Allisha Gray from Atlanta Dream, and Jackie Young de Las Vegas Aces.
“There is nothing like the pressure of the big competition, and therefore I like the fact that I have the experience, the Olympic experience of a gold medal and semi-final game and the pressure of being the crushing favorite and having to go,” said Lawson. “Having experienced this as a player, and as a 3-time ride 3 against 3, and assistant last year in Paris, I think that each time you get representatives at the highest level, it’s precious.
“And, being in these battles with these high quality players means that you have an idea of their competitive fibers and what makes them vibrate. I hope they feel a little comfort with me too.”
Lawson was chosen for this post by Sue Bird, the Olympic gold medalist and renowned temple which was appointed first director general of the national team of the United States of basketball in May. In this new role, Bird is responsible for choosing both coaches and international tournament players.
For most of their lives, Bird and Lawson were friendly rivals. First of all, the pre-competition guards growing in the northeast, then in Uconn and Tennessee, then in the WNBA with Seattle and Sacramento, and finally as teammates of the 2008 Olympic team.
“We have known each other since the age of 9,” said Lawson about Bird. “And we have always had healthy respect for each other.”
