WORLD CHAMPIONS: Alexandria Native Kara Lawson Coaches Team USA to Fifth Straight World Cup Title

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria native Kara Lawson is a world champion.

Team USA, coached by Lawson, came roaring back from a 14-point deficit Sunday to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup championship.

The victory gave the United States its fifth consecutive Women’s World Cup title and extended an extraordinary run of dominance on the international stage.

France made sure the Americans had to earn this one. The French broke loose with a 21–2 run and built a 14-point advantage in the second quarter. Team USA chipped away, pulling within two by halftime before taking over after the break.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Kahleah Copper and Jackie Young pushed the Americans ahead in the third quarter, and the United States never gave the lead back.

Captain Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 22 points as the Americans turned what had looked like a potential upset into an 18-point championship victory.

From Alexandria to the World Stage

For Alexandria, this championship comes with a hometown connection.

USA Basketball identifies Lawson’s hometown as Alexandria. She starred at West Springfield High School before playing for legendary coach Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee, building a WNBA career, winning Olympic gold and later moving into broadcasting and coaching.

Lawson is now the head coach at Duke University, but this month her assignment was much bigger: guide Team USA through the Women’s Basketball World Cup.

She did it without a loss.

The championship also stretched the United States’ unbeaten run in Olympic and World Cup competition to 20 years.

For Lawson, a basketball journey that began in Northern Virginia has now reached another remarkable milestone.

Alexandria watched one of its own take the world stage this weekend.

Now Kara Lawson is bringing home gold.

More information about Lawson and Team USA is available through USA Basketball.