Kara Lawson: From Duke to National Prominence
Kara Lawson, 44, has been the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils since 2020. This past season she led Duke to a stellar 29–8 record, clinching the ACC Tournament and reaching the NCAA Elite Eight—marking the program’s best campaign in over a decade. Her success at Duke established her as one of the nation’s most respected rising coaches.
Lawson brings significant USA Basketball credentials. As a former player, she won gold at the 2008 Olympics and triumphed at the 2007 FIBA Americas/AmeriCup.
Transitioning to coaching, she earned Olympic gold as assistant coach in Paris 2024 and led the U.S. women’s 3×3 team to Tokyo 2020 victory. Overall, she holds a remarkable 75–5 record with USA Basketball, amassing nine gold medals.
In May, USA Basketball appointed Lawson as head coach for the 2025 Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile (June 28–July 6) with assistants DeLisha Milton‑Jones and Jennie Baranczyk.
Her coaches’ table also reflects a rich USA legacy: Milton‑Jones is a former Olympic champion, and Baranczyk excelled at Oklahoma, earning Big 12 Coach of the Year .
The Road to Gold
Team USA entered the tournament as a developmental squad comprised of elite NCAA talent—athletes like Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo, LSU’s Flau’Jae Johnson, TCU’s Olivia Miles, and Texas’s Madison Booker Lawson emphasized a physical, defense-first approach, mirroring her Duke style, aiming to “be very disruptive” against more seasoned international opponents
Showing dominance from day one, the USA finished the group phase undefeated, overcoming Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. They then outdueled Canada in the semifinals before facing Brazil in the final on July 6
In a thrilling championship clash, the USA overcame a two-point deficit early in the fourth quarter with a 9–0 surge, pulling ahead 76–69 and ultimately sealing a 92–84 victory. The American squad shattered the old assist record with 161 dimes and averaged 17.6 steals per game—leading the entire tournament in blocks, efficiency, points, scoring average, and steals
Why This Matters
This marks USA’s fifth FIBA AmeriCup title (previous wins: 1993, 2007, 2019, 2021, 2025), and secures qualification for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin. For Lawson, this achievement strengthens not only her international resume but also adds a significant accolade to her burgeoning legacy at Duke
Duke’s administration and fans have embraced her expanding role, confident she can balance national duties alongside continuing her transformative impact on the Blue Devils program.
Beyond the medals, this victory underlines Lawson’s coaching philosophy: rigorous defense, meticulous preparation, and a winning culture. “Excellence” has been the hallmark throughout her career, whether in collegiate arenas or global competition
In summary, Kara Lawson’s soaring rise—from WNBA star to Duke head coach and now USA Basketball leader—has culminated in a resounding triumph. This FIBA AmeriCup gold is not just another title—it’s a powerful signal that Lawson belongs among the elite in women’s basketball coaching.
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