Kara Lawson Leads USA Women’s AmeriCup Team: A Trailblazing Coach With Olympic Ambitions

Kara Lawson Leads USA Women’s AmeriCup Team: A Trailblazing Coach With Olympic Ambitions

Kara Lawson, the dynamic head coach of Duke women’s basketball, continues to break barriers as she leads Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Chile. Already a gold medal-winning coach from the Tokyo Olympics in 3-on-3 basketball, Lawson is now stepping onto the full-court stage with the U.S. 5-on-5 squad, guiding some of the NCAA’s brightest stars in pursuit of international glory.

A Lifelong Coaching Dream in Motion

“I wanted to be a coach since I was seven,” Lawson revealed. Her passion led her to play under the legendary Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee — a decision that shaped her coaching philosophy and set the foundation for her leadership success.

Despite her early aspirations, Lawson never envisioned this path. “The WNBA didn’t exist yet, and coaching in college wasn’t on my radar. I thought I’d start at the high school level,” she shared.

Fast forward to today, Lawson is not only a prominent NCAA head coach but also a key figure in USA Basketball’s coaching future — possibly even for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Guiding the Next Generation at the AmeriCup

Team USA’s 2025 AmeriCup roster features an exciting blend of college talent, including:

• Flau’Jae Johnson (LSU)

• Olivia Miles (TCU)

• Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame)

• Madison Booker (Texas)

• Joyce Edwards (South Carolina)

• Raegan Beers (Oklahoma)

Lawson made an immediate impact at the team’s training camp in Colorado Springs. “The intensity she brings every day, you feel it — that’s a pro right there,” said LSU standout Flau’Jae Johnson. “Just learning from her, I’ve already grown so much in just a couple of days.”

For these athletes, competing at the AmeriCup is more than just summer basketball — it’s an honor. “To wear USA across your chest, to be part of a legacy built by Olympians, it’s the biggest stage,” said Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo.

A Potential Olympic Path

At 44, Lawson could become only the second African American woman to coach the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, following Dawn Staley’s tenure at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While Lawson downplays the idea of this tournament being a stepping stone to the 2028 Olympics or the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, her track record speaks volumes.

Sue Bird, now managing director of the USA Women’s National Team, will ultimately decide the next head coach. However, Lawson’s consistent excellence and leadership style keep her firmly in the conversation.

A Proven Winner on the International Stage

Lawson’s international coaching resume is already impressive. She led the U.S. 3-on-3 women’s team to gold at the Tokyo Olympics, proving her ability to handle the pressure of global competition. Now, she has the opportunity to do the same with the 5-on-5 format.

Final Thoughts

With her passion, experience, and ability to inspire young players, Kara Lawson is not only leading Team USA at the 2025 AmeriCup but also shaping the future of women’s basketball. As she guides America’s top college athletes through tough competition in Chile, all eyes are on her potential to rise even higher — perhaps all the way to the Olympic sidelines in Los Angeles.