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Lawson Tabbed USA Basketball WNT Assistant Coach for 2024 Paris Olympics
2/13/2024 12:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson has been named as one of three USA Basketball Women's National Team assistant coaches for the 2024 Paris Olympics, USA Basketball announced on Tuesday.
Lawson joins Mike Thibault (Washington Mystics) and Joni Taylor (Texas A&M) as assistants on head coach Cheryl Reeve's (Minnesota Lynx) staff. The coaching staff, who together led the USA to its 11th gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, was selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Committee.
"When I was a kid, my first athletic goal was to represent the U.S. in the Olympics," said Lawson. "It was actually in track and field. I watched the 100-meter dash and that was the goal. As I got older, I got a little slower, and basketball ended up being my sport. But that was always the goal – to be able to play at the highest level internationally. It's the same as a coach. What an honor to be named to the staff for the Paris Olympics and to help the National Team chase another gold medal."
Lawson, currently in her fourth season as head coach for the Blue Devils, began her USA Basketball career as an athlete in 1998, winning the bronze medal at the USA World Youth Games. Through her tenure as a player, Lawson captured gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games, 2007 FIBA Americas Championship and the 2001 World University Games.
The Alexandria, Va., native has had several head coaching roles with 3x3 junior and senior national teams, leading USA Basketball 3x3 to seven gold medals since taking the reins in 2017. Lawson also served as a court coach at the 2022 USA Basketball Women's National Team's spring training camp in Minneapolis.
"It means a lot because I was a player that played in the program and now to be able to coach in the program is a full circle moment for me," Lawson added. "To be able to coach under Cheryl Reeve, someone that I have a great deal of respect for and learned a lot from already. I can't think of a better way to spend a few weeks next summer than in Paris."
The 2024 Olympic Games are set for July 26-Aug. 11 with the women's 5-on-5 basketball competition taking place July 27-Aug. 11, with the preliminary round taking place in Lille, France.
USA Basketball is seeking its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, and 11th overall, dating back to 1996. The U.S. won gold at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, notching a perfect 8-0 record.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LAWSON:
"Kara, what just oozes off of her is just a love for the game. Certainly, Kara, the person that she is, I think that she's the epitome of USA Basketball. If you look at the group that we've had and why there's sustained success through a lot of years and a lot of consecutive gold medals, the core of that is the type of people that you involve in USA Basketball. Kara epitomizes that. Kara is a junkie, she's a basketball junkie." – Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach, U.S. Women's Olympic Team
"Playing for Coach Kara is amazing. We won a gold medal together in Tokyo in 3x3. She taught me a lot of knowledge about the game, gave me a lot of pointers and played a part in me being as successful as I am today. Being able to see her today was amazing because I love Coach Kara. Every time I see her it's the biggest smile. She is just one of the best coaches and people ever." – Allisha Gray, 1x Olympic Gold Medalist
"I appreciated having Coach Kara over in Sydney. Tremendous asset to our staff. It was incredible to get that group together. Someone like Kara has so much experience with USA Basketball. As a player, she knows what it feels like in 5-on-5, coaching 3-on-3 and now joining the 5-on-5 staff. Really invaluable experience in her time with the Celtics as you now come into coach WNBA players on the National Team. There are countless ways that Kara adds value to our staff. More than anything, I can't say enough about Kara's aptitude for the game and love for the game." – Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach, U.S. Women's Olympic Team
"You know I have a long history with Coach Lawson. Rivals in the WNBA. We got to share the court together in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. Kara was a huge part of our team. I was telling one of her players earlier that she's always been the coach, she's always been the adult in the room. You could always count on Kara to be calm in situations that are pressure packed. She's done a great job at Duke. I love people who take the profession serious. With Coach Lawson, her team is going to be prepared and work hard. The future is bright." – Diana Taurasi, 5x Olympic Gold Medalist
"I have loved my time being coached by Coach Lawson, she's always believed in me and every single thing that we've been able to go at together in winning gold. Her belief in me as a player and as a person has shaped who I am. I always know every time I connect with her, she's always the same person. I've really been able to enjoy that. Her basketball IQ and how she is as a coach is obviously the best of the best. Being able to be coached by her was nothing short of amazing." – Sabrina Ionescu, 1x World Cup Gold Medalist
#GoDuke
Lawson joins Mike Thibault (Washington Mystics) and Joni Taylor (Texas A&M) as assistants on head coach Cheryl Reeve's (Minnesota Lynx) staff. The coaching staff, who together led the USA to its 11th gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, was selected by the USA Basketball Women's National Team Committee.
"When I was a kid, my first athletic goal was to represent the U.S. in the Olympics," said Lawson. "It was actually in track and field. I watched the 100-meter dash and that was the goal. As I got older, I got a little slower, and basketball ended up being my sport. But that was always the goal – to be able to play at the highest level internationally. It's the same as a coach. What an honor to be named to the staff for the Paris Olympics and to help the National Team chase another gold medal."
Lawson, currently in her fourth season as head coach for the Blue Devils, began her USA Basketball career as an athlete in 1998, winning the bronze medal at the USA World Youth Games. Through her tenure as a player, Lawson captured gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games, 2007 FIBA Americas Championship and the 2001 World University Games.
The Alexandria, Va., native has had several head coaching roles with 3x3 junior and senior national teams, leading USA Basketball 3x3 to seven gold medals since taking the reins in 2017. Lawson also served as a court coach at the 2022 USA Basketball Women's National Team's spring training camp in Minneapolis.
"It means a lot because I was a player that played in the program and now to be able to coach in the program is a full circle moment for me," Lawson added. "To be able to coach under Cheryl Reeve, someone that I have a great deal of respect for and learned a lot from already. I can't think of a better way to spend a few weeks next summer than in Paris."
The 2024 Olympic Games are set for July 26-Aug. 11 with the women's 5-on-5 basketball competition taking place July 27-Aug. 11, with the preliminary round taking place in Lille, France.
USA Basketball is seeking its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, and 11th overall, dating back to 1996. The U.S. won gold at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, notching a perfect 8-0 record.
To stay up to date with Duke women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWBB."
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT LAWSON:
"Kara, what just oozes off of her is just a love for the game. Certainly, Kara, the person that she is, I think that she's the epitome of USA Basketball. If you look at the group that we've had and why there's sustained success through a lot of years and a lot of consecutive gold medals, the core of that is the type of people that you involve in USA Basketball. Kara epitomizes that. Kara is a junkie, she's a basketball junkie." – Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach, U.S. Women's Olympic Team
"Playing for Coach Kara is amazing. We won a gold medal together in Tokyo in 3x3. She taught me a lot of knowledge about the game, gave me a lot of pointers and played a part in me being as successful as I am today. Being able to see her today was amazing because I love Coach Kara. Every time I see her it's the biggest smile. She is just one of the best coaches and people ever." – Allisha Gray, 1x Olympic Gold Medalist
"I appreciated having Coach Kara over in Sydney. Tremendous asset to our staff. It was incredible to get that group together. Someone like Kara has so much experience with USA Basketball. As a player, she knows what it feels like in 5-on-5, coaching 3-on-3 and now joining the 5-on-5 staff. Really invaluable experience in her time with the Celtics as you now come into coach WNBA players on the National Team. There are countless ways that Kara adds value to our staff. More than anything, I can't say enough about Kara's aptitude for the game and love for the game." – Cheryl Reeve, Head Coach, U.S. Women's Olympic Team
"You know I have a long history with Coach Lawson. Rivals in the WNBA. We got to share the court together in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. Kara was a huge part of our team. I was telling one of her players earlier that she's always been the coach, she's always been the adult in the room. You could always count on Kara to be calm in situations that are pressure packed. She's done a great job at Duke. I love people who take the profession serious. With Coach Lawson, her team is going to be prepared and work hard. The future is bright." – Diana Taurasi, 5x Olympic Gold Medalist
"I have loved my time being coached by Coach Lawson, she's always believed in me and every single thing that we've been able to go at together in winning gold. Her belief in me as a player and as a person has shaped who I am. I always know every time I connect with her, she's always the same person. I've really been able to enjoy that. Her basketball IQ and how she is as a coach is obviously the best of the best. Being able to be coached by her was nothing short of amazing." – Sabrina Ionescu, 1x World Cup Gold Medalist
#GoDuke
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