Kara Lawson, the current head coach of the Duke University women’s basketball team and a former gold-medal-winning player, has been named head coach of the USA Women’s National Team for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. The tournament will be held in Santiago, Chile, from June 28 to July 6, and Lawson’s leadership is expected to be a key asset for Team USA.
USA Basketball officially announced Lawson’s appointment, citing her extensive experience and remarkable track record both as a player and a coach. Joining her on the coaching staff are DeLisha Milton-Jones of Old Dominion University and Jennie Baranczyk of the University of Oklahoma, who will serve as assistant coaches.
Lawson has a long history with USA Basketball and a decorated résumé. She has helped secure nine gold medals for the U.S. across multiple international competitions and holds a near-flawless coaching record of 75 wins and just five losses. Notably, she was an assistant coach during the 2024 Paris Olympic cycle and played a pivotal role in leading the USA 3×3 Women’s Team to gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Her experience on the court is just as distinguished as her time on the sidelines. Lawson won a gold medal as a player at the 2008 Olympic Games and was part of the USA squad that claimed the title at the 2007 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. That previous AmeriCup victory adds a personal dimension to her return to the same tournament, now in the role of head coach.
In a statement released by USA Basketball, Lawson expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity. “I’m incredibly honored to be named the 2025 Women’s AmeriCup Head Coach,” she said. “The opportunity to work with some of the top players in the country, and to coach alongside some of the best minds in the sport, is something I’m very excited about. I always look forward to serving USA Basketball in any way I can.”
Lawson emphasized the importance of building a strong team identity. “The goal is to put together a competitive team, one that upholds the high standards we cherish—chief among them, excellence. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead as we pursue another gold medal for the United States,” she added.
Since taking over at Duke in 2020, Lawson has significantly elevated the women’s basketball program. In the 2024–25 NCAA Division I season, she guided the Blue Devils to a 29-8 record—their best in over ten years—and led them to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. Her success at the collegiate level further validates her readiness for international coaching on one of basketball’s biggest stages.
Before her collegiate coaching career, Lawson also made history as a member of the Boston Celtics coaching staff during the 2019–20 NBA season. Her stint in the NBA marked one of the rare occasions a woman held a coaching role in the league, further establishing her as a trailblazer in the sport.
Assisting Lawson will be DeLisha Milton-Jones, a familiar name in USA Basketball circles. Milton-Jones brings with her an illustrious playing career that includes two Olympic gold medals (Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008). The AmeriCup will mark her third assignment as an assistant coach for the U.S. national team, continuing her impactful transition from player to coach.
Jennie Baranczyk, head coach at the University of Oklahoma, rounds out the coaching trio. While this will be her first time serving as an assistant coach at the senior national team level, she is no stranger to USA Basketball. Baranczyk has contributed to youth development in the program, serving as a court coach during U19 team training camps, preparing her for this next step on the international stage.
At the 2025 AmeriCup, the United States will compete in Group B. Their opening matchup will be against the host nation, Chile, followed by group-stage games against Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The tournament will serve as a critical competition ahead of future international events and Olympic qualification cycles.
USA Basketball is seeking to bounce back after a second-place finish at the 2023 AmeriCup, held in Mexico. The Americans will be aiming for their fifth FIBA Women’s AmeriCup title and their first since 2019. The team’s final roster is expected to be announced following a series of trials in June, which will be conducted in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The 2025 AmeriCup not only provides a chance for redemption but also an opportunity for emerging talent to gain international experience under elite coaching. With a staff that includes proven leaders and former champions, Team USA enters the competition as a strong contender.
Lawson’s appointment is a testament to her ongoing influence in basketball, as she continues to build on a career filled with landmark achievements. Her leadership, combined with the contributions of Milton-Jones and Baranczyk, sets the stage for a promising tournament as the United States looks to reclaim its place at the top of the podium.
As Team USA prepares for competition in Chile, expectations are high. With an experienced coaching staff and a legacy of success behind them, the Americans will aim to showcase their trademark dominance and bring home gold once again.
