Team USA Women’s Basketball Coach on Emotional Weekend
Coach Kara Lawson of Team USA’s women’s basketball team hopes to provide Americans with a sense of unity during a poignant weekend for the nation.
The team secured its place in the FIBA Women’s World Cup championship after defeating Spain 76-66 in Berlin, just a day after the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Following the game, Lawson expressed that winning the championship would resonate deeply, considering the solemnity of the recent anniversary.
“Being a part of USA Basketball for so long, there’s a great pride in that,” Lawson stated. “From my time as a 17-year-old to now, I don’t think there’s anyone prouder than I am to represent the U.S. in this role.” She added that she felt connected to the U.S. presence even while in Europe, particularly on such a significant day.
The terrorist attacks in 2001 claimed nearly 3,000 lives across various locations including New York City and the Pentagon, with numerous remembrance ceremonies held nationwide on Friday.
Lawson categorized the anniversary as a “powerful memory” that lingers with her and the team throughout the year, not just on that one day. “It would mean a lot to win a World Cup for our country. We take great pride in representing the USA,” she remarked.
She also emphasized that their efforts might foster unity beyond just the realm of women’s basketball, suggesting it could have a broader impact on national unity as well. “Our team, I hope, is helping create that unity across the country,” she said, expressing hope that people take pride in how they play and represent the nation.
Lawson’s affiliation with USA Basketball began in her teens, and she played a significant role in winning Olympic gold in 2008. She led the U.S. to gold in the inaugural women’s 3×3 basketball event at the Tokyo Olympics and served as an assistant coach for the team’s gold victory in the 2024 Paris Games. In 2025, she was appointed to guide the women’s national team through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Now, she stands one win away from claiming her first major international championship as head coach of the senior five-on-five team.
The semifinal match against Spain was intense; after tying at 58 entering the final quarter, the U.S. held Spain to just eight points in that period, closing the game with a decisive 12-2 run. Breanna Stewart led scoring for Team USA with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper contributed 13, and Jackie Young added 12.
This victory marks the continuation of a remarkable 35-game winning streak for the U.S. in the World Cup, with the last loss dating back to 2006 against Russia in the semifinals.
In the championship game scheduled for Sunday, Team USA will face off against France, who beat host Germany 86-64 in their semifinal. This match will serve as a rematch from the 2024 Olympic gold medal game, where the U.S. narrowly clinched a 67-66 win.
France enters the final without a defeat and has claimed the top spot in the FIBA power rankings post group play. The Americans are aiming for their fifth consecutive World Cup win and twelfth overall, whereas France is making its inaugural appearance in a World Cup final.
Faith remains crucial for Team USA guard Paige Bueckers, who shared her strong Christian beliefs during the tournament. “My faith has always been important to me,” Bueckers said. “It’s been my rock, my foundation. I carry that wherever I go.”
