Alexandria native Kara Lawson was named head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028, the organization announced Monday.
Lawson, who was born on February 14, 1981, in Alexandria, Virginia, will lead the team at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin and the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
The Duke University women’s basketball head coach brings extensive international experience to the role. As a player, she won Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008. As a coach, she helped the USA claim gold medals as an assistant coach at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games Paris 2024, and most recently served as head coach at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup.
“I am honored to be selected as the head coach of the Women’s National Team for this cycle,” Lawson said in a statement. “I will work tirelessly to uphold the standards of this storied program.”
Lawson graduated from West Springfield High School, where she played on the girls’ basketball and soccer teams and led the Spartans to state championships in 1997 and 1999. She earned Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American honors and played in the 1999 WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring 20 points and being named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
After a standout college career at the University of Tennessee under legendary coach Pat Summitt, Lawson was drafted 5th overall by the WNBA’s Detroit Shock in 2003. Her 12-year professional career was highlighted by a WNBA championship in 2005 with the Sacramento Monarchs and All-Star honors in 2007.
Through five seasons at Duke, Lawson has compiled a 97-41 record and guided the Blue Devils to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2025. Before joining Duke, she served as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics in 2019-20 and worked as a television analyst for ESPN.
Lawson’s selection is subject to approval by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Additional staff announcements and information about future USA Basketball Women’s National Team activity will be announced at a later date.
USA Basketball highlighted Lawson’s local roots in announcing her appointment, posting on X: “From Alexandria, Virginia, to coaching the National Team. @karalawson20’s legacy continues on the #USABWNT sideline.”
From Alexandria, Virginia, to coaching the National Team. @karalawson20‘s legacy continues on the 🇺🇸 #USABWNT sideline. pic.twitter.com/mR6QQJgCWT
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 22, 2025
