Despite Duke’s slow start, here’s why Kara Lawson is the right coach for Team USA

Two months ago, Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson took the stage at Cameron Indoor Stadium, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief after being introduced as the next head coach of the U.S. women’s national basketball team.

Since then, Team USA announced its assistant coaches, also known as court coaches, and this weekend held its first training camp in Durham. That stretch, however, also included a 4-6 start for the Blue Devils and three consecutive double-digit losses to Power Four programs. It fell to UCLA — without Lauren Betts — by 30 points on Thanksgiving.

It hasn’t been the start Lawson or Duke has wanted, but the new head coach still believes in herself. Lawson has faith that her playing and coaching careers have equipped her to continue Team USA’s women’s basketball dynasty.

“When you’re going through a challenging portion of your season, you don’t get dumber, you don’t get smarter,” Lawson said Friday. “Your experience is what you lean into, whether you’re having a lot of success or you’re struggling. … I’m prepared for this, and it’s something that I know I can do well in. I feel the same way on the college side, too, even though we haven’t done as well as we would have hoped, for a number of reasons. It hasn’t changed my outlook or changed my confidence at all.”

The players who attended camp this week believe in her, too. “Coach Kara, she knows just as good as anybody else what USA Basketball is about,” Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark said. “Just winning a gold medal and additionally being a part of a lot of different Olympic teams, whether it’s three-on-three stuff, an assistant coach at the last [Olympics].”

Lawson’s ability to win undoubtedly played a key role in her selection for the job. USA Basketball officials previously said they considered more factors, such as her perspective, than only her win-loss record.

Sue Bird, Lawson’s former Olympic teammate and USA Basketball Women’s national team managing director, said during Lawson’s introduction that she sought someone who understood what it meant to wear “USA” on their chest and represent a country. Lawson has done so in a jersey and a polo.

Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball chairman and retired Army general, also noted Lawson’s grasp of the foundation of excellence, commitment, teamwork and sportsmanship laid by coaches and players who came before her. The organization sought a coach who could win and do so with integrity.

“You were selected, obviously, for your impressive basketball knowledge and coaching skills,” Dempsey said in October. “But you were also selected because of your leadership, because of your love of the game, for your commitment to the development of your players — on and off the court — and for your demonstrated character.”

Learning and growing alongside one of the best

Players from various WNBA teams and college programs — Betts and Southern California’s JuJu Watkins received invitations — arrived in Durham on Thursday. The Duke women’s team is off this week for finals, making it the perfect time for the first camp of the Olympic cycle.

Several national team members are current or former teammates, and most, if not all, have played against one another at least once. Many of the players also have experience playing for or against Lawson-led teams.

They all shared similar thoughts about the new national team coach.

Lawson provides intentionality, intensity and energy. The players say she possesses the kind of competitive drive, high standards and attention to detail that inspires others. Even players who are limited in their participation, like Watkins, are embracing the opportunity to learn. (They really like her motivational speeches, too.)

“She’s intense. I like intense coaches. She reminds me of my coach in college, so that’s something I love,” said Angel Reese, former LSU star and Chicago Sky guard, referring to Kim Mulkey. “I love her coaching. She’s very intentional. … I love to be able to ask questions. I know I can bring a lot of defense, and she’s a defensive coach. She works a lot on defense, so just being able to talk to her, communicate with her and what she expects out of me is something that’s really important.”

Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics guard and former Notre Dame standout, knows what it’s like to play against a Lawson-coached team. Lawson led the Blue Devils to a 3-2 record against the Fighting Irish during Citron’s college career. Duke held Notre Dame to 70 points or fewer in every meeting and under 60 in two.

Like Reese, Citron appreciates Lawson’s emphasis on defense.

“She’s an amazing coach. I remember every time we played Duke, just how tenacious their defense was,” Citron said Thursday. “I think that’s something I look forward to, because I pride myself on my defense. I love a coach that really pushes it on that side of the ball. That’s exciting. Then, I think she just has a world of knowledge. This weekend, [I’m] just trying to get everything I can out of her and learn and grow.”

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers and Los Angeles Sparks forward Rikea Jackson are two of the younger players with previously-established relationships with Lawson.

Bueckers played for Lawson in 2018 as part of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games 3x3 team, while Jackson played a year later in the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup. Both expressed appreciation for the opportunity to play for and learn from Lawson again.

“I think we have a great relationship where we can talk to each other, and we stayed in touch throughout the years,” Bueckers said. “Obviously, she was at Duke, I was at UConn, so we were both on our separate paths, but we’re always rooting for each other. We always wish the best for each other, and if I need something or if she needs something, we’re always there to talk and communicate. It’ll be exciting to get back under her and learn from her and keep growing in our relationship.”

The Kara Lawson file

Lawson entered her first Team USA training camp this weekend with nearly 30 years of experience as a player and coach, including 13 gold medals.

Lawson earned a spot on Team USA’s final five-on-five rosters as a collegiate and professional player in 2001 and 2008, respectively. She won a gold medal in the 2001 World University Games and again at the 2008 Beijing Olympics alongside players including Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie. Lawson led the team with 15 points in the Olympic championship.

She has been a head coach for multiple national teams, including the U18 3x3 teams, the 2024 Women’s 3x3 Olympic team and the 2025 AmeriCup. Lawson served as an assistant coach for the 2024 5x5 Olympic team and the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup. She has coached all ages and genders.

Lawson attended the University of Tennessee and played for the late Pat Summitt, becoming a two-time All-American and four-time All-SEC selection during her college career.

Following her time with the Volunteers, Lawson played 12 seasons in the WNBA. She won a championship in 2005 and was named a WNBA All-Star in 2007 with the now-defunct Sacramento Monarchs.

Lawson briefly worked as a broadcaster, alongside her national team coaching, at the conclusion of her playing career, and served as an assistant for the Boston Celtics from 2019-20 before coming to Duke.

“I respect her so much, when she was a player and as a coach now,” said Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink. “I think she’s just such a solid coach, and I’m just really thankful to be working with her.”

Team USA has won 10 Olympic gold medals in five-on-five, and eight straight. It has 11 World Cup gold medals, including four consecutive. Lawson will go for a fifth straight World Cup title in September and another Olympic gold in 2028.

She joins a long line of revered coaches to lead the national team, including Summitt, Kay Yow, Tara VanDerveer, Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley and, most recently, Cheryl Reeve.

“Coach Lawson means business. From the first moment that I walked into the door, I could really feel that,” said Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen. “She’s been great, just learning from her. She has high expectations for us, and she’s setting the standard.”

This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM.

Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The News & Observer