Duke’s head coach Kara Lawson will lead the USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup team, with former Duke standout Reigan Richardson among the 21 players vying for a spot.

Duke University’s highly respected head coach, Kara Lawson, is set to lead the USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup team, with a familiar face from her Blue Devils squad, recent graduate Reigan Richardson, among the 21 talented players vying for a coveted spot on the final 12-member roster. The trials, a crucial step towards the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, are scheduled to tip off on June 17 at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

This dual representation for Duke highlights the program’s growing influence on the national and international basketball stage. For Coach Lawson, it marks a significant opportunity to continue her impressive coaching trajectory and lead a diverse group of collegiate stars. For Richardson, it’s a testament to her consistent growth and stellar collegiate career, offering her a chance to make her senior USA Basketball debut.

Lawson at the Helm: A Proven Leader

Kara Lawson’s appointment as the head coach of the 2025 USA Women’s AmeriCup team was announced by USA Basketball in May, a clear recognition of her coaching acumen and extensive experience in the sport. Lawson, a former collegiate standout at Tennessee and a decorated WNBA player with an Olympic gold medal to her name, brings a unique blend of playing and coaching expertise to the national team.

Since taking the helm at Duke in 2020, Lawson has steadily rebuilt the Blue Devils program, guiding them to consecutive 20-win seasons and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. In the recently concluded 2024-25 campaign, she led Duke to a remarkable 29-8 record, their ninth ACC Tournament title, and a memorable run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. Her ability to develop talent, implement effective strategies, and foster a winning culture has made her one of the most respected coaches in women’s college basketball.

Lawson will be joined on the AmeriCup coaching staff by an accomplished pair of assistant coaches: DeLisha Milton-Jones from Old Dominion University and Jennie Baranczyk from the University of Oklahoma. This formidable coaching trio will be tasked with identifying and molding the best collegiate talent into a cohesive unit capable of competing for gold.

“It’s an immense honor to represent USA Basketball, and to do so alongside such talented coaches as DeLisha and Jennie is truly special,” Lawson remarked upon her appointment. “We have a pool of incredible athletes, and I’m eager to work with them to build a team that embodies the spirit and competitiveness of USA Basketball.”

Reigan Richardson: From Blue Devil Star to National Team Aspirant

For Reigan Richardson, a 2025 graduate of Duke, the invitation to the AmeriCup team trials is a fitting culmination of an outstanding collegiate career. The Charlotte, North Carolina product was a vital component of Duke’s success, starting all 37 games during her senior campaign.

Richardson’s impact was undeniable during the 2024-25 season. She played a pivotal role in Duke’s deep NCAA Tournament run, showcasing her versatility, scoring ability, and defensive tenacity. She also achieved a significant personal milestone, eclipsing the 1,000-point threshold both individually and at Duke, concluding her career with 1,174 total points, with 1,004 of those scored as a Blue Devil. This achievement placed her among the elite, as only the 36th player in Duke women’s basketball history to surpass the 1,000-point mark.

In her three seasons at Duke, after transferring from Georgia Tech, Richardson started 97 of 104 games, averaging 9.7 points on 41% shooting, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Her consistent contributions helped the Blue Devils achieve 77 victories, three consecutive 20-win seasons, and three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2024 Sweet Sixteen and the 2025 Elite Eight, along with an ACC championship.

The AmeriCup trials will mark Richardson’s debut in a USA Basketball uniform, a significant step for any aspiring international player. Her experience at Duke, playing under a coach like Lawson, will undoubtedly prepare her for the intensity and demands of international competition.

The AmeriCup Challenge: A Path to the World Cup

The 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup is set to take place from June 28 to July 6 in Santiago, Chile. This prestigious tournament serves as a critical qualifier, with the winner earning an automatic berth to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, scheduled for Berlin, Germany, in September.

USA Basketball has a rich history of success in the AmeriCup, having captured four gold medals since the event’s inception in 1993, including recent titles in 2019 and 2021. The team will aim to continue this proud tradition under Lawson’s leadership.

The United States has been drawn into Group B for the preliminary round, where they will face the host nation Chile, along with Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. The full schedule promises exciting matchups as teams battle for supremacy and a spot in the knockout stages.

The 21 players invited to the trials represent a diverse array of talent from across the collegiate landscape. This group, selected by the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee chaired by UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close, includes both seasoned international players and rising stars making their USA Basketball debuts. The committee’s task is to identify the 12 players who best fit the team’s needs and can contribute to a gold-medal effort.

Duke’s Legacy in USA Basketball

The presence of both Coach Lawson and Reigan Richardson at the AmeriCup trials further solidifies Duke University’s deep and ongoing connection to USA Basketball. The program has consistently produced players and coaches who have gone on to represent their country at various levels of international competition, from youth teams to the Olympic stage.

This tradition of excellence reflects the caliber of coaching and player development at Duke. The opportunity for a player like Richardson to learn and compete under her college coach, Lawson, in an international setting provides a unique and invaluable experience. It fosters continuity and understanding, potentially giving the USA team an edge.

As the trials commence on June 17, the focus will be sharp, and the competition fierce. Every invited player will be eager to impress the coaching staff and secure a spot on the final roster. For Duke fans, the excitement of seeing Coach Lawson lead the national team and the hope of cheering on Reigan Richardson in a USA uniform will add an extra layer of intrigue to the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. The tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup firmly in sight.