Team USA women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson hopes her team can give Americans another reason to unite during an emotional weekend for the country.
The U.S. advanced to the FIBA Women’s World Cup championship game with a 76-66 victory over Spain in Berlin on Saturday, one day after the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Lawson said after the USA’s semifinal win over Spain that winning the championship would carry added meaning after the somber anniversary.
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“I think, you know, being a part of USA Basketball for so long, there’s a great pride in it,” Lawson said. “I mean, from when I was 17 years old until now, being a part of it in different capacities, you know, I think—I don’t know if there’s anyone prouder to represent the U.S. than I am in this capacity.
“And so we think about that. And I felt the presence of the U.S. here, even though we are in Europe. I felt it, and certainly felt it yesterday in 9/11 and, you know, a somber anniversary.”
The 2001 terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Americans marked the milestone Friday with remembrance ceremonies across the country.
Lawson called the anniversary a “powerful memory” that remains with her and the team beyond one day.
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“And it’s something that was, you know, a powerful memory, and something that is on our minds, certainly on that day, but really other days as well,” Lawson said. “It would mean a ton to win a World Cup for our country. We’re proud to be Americans, and we’re proud to represent USA. And to win a World Cup would be an amazing thing.”
Lawson also said the team’s potential influence reaches beyond a women’s basketball community that has experienced heated rivalries and divisions in recent years.
“And as far as unity, I think unity is not just exclusive to the women’s basketball community,” Lawson said. “I think it’s unity for our country as well.
“I think our team hopefully is creating unity across our country. People being proud about how we play and how we represent the red, white and blue.”
Lawson’s connection to USA Basketball began as a teenager. She later helped the Americans win an Olympic gold medal as a player at the 2008 Beijing Games.
She coached the U.S. to the inaugural women’s 3×3 basketball gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and served as an assistant on the team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Games. USA Basketball selected Lawson in 2025 to lead the women’s national team through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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She is now one victory away from winning her first major international championship as the head coach of the five-on-five senior team.
The Americans had to fight for that opportunity Saturday.
Spain tied the semifinal at 58 entering the fourth quarter. The U.S. then held Spain to eight points in the final period and used a 12-2 run to pull away.
Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 16 points. Kahleah Copper added 13, while Jackie Young finished with 12.
The victory extended the Americans’ World Cup winning streak to 35 games. The U.S. has not lost in the tournament since falling to Russia in the 2006 semifinals.
Team USA will face France in Sunday’s championship game after the French defeated host Germany 86-64 in the other semifinal.
The matchup will be a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold-medal game in Paris. The U.S. escaped that contest with a 67-66 victory after France’s Gabby Williams made a shot with her foot on the 3-point line as time expired.
France entered the World Cup final undefeated and moved ahead of the U.S. in FIBA’s final power ranking after group play. The Americans are pursuing their fifth consecutive World Cup championship and 12th overall. France is appearing in its first World Cup final.
Faith has also remained an important part of the experience for Team USA guard Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers, who has spoken openly about her Christian beliefs throughout her college and professional career, was asked how important her relationship with Jesus Christ has been during the tournament.
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“My faith has always been important to me,” Bueckers said. “It’s carried me through life. It’s been my rock, my foundation. So, I take that with me wherever I go.”
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