Duke girls’s basketball coach Kara Lawson is taking up one other worldwide problem — this time main Crew USA into the 2026 FIBA Girls’s World Cup.

Lawson and the U.S. crew have arrived in Berlin and accomplished their first observe collectively, starting preparations for the match with a roster that features a important quantity of worldwide inexperience.

“It was nice to get out on the court docket with them,” Lawson stated after the crew’s first observe. “Simply desirous to get sweat in, and, you understand, get some issues put in, and get some pictures up, and simply be collectively.”

The U.S. roster options seven gamers making their first look with the nationwide crew and 9 enjoying of their first World Cup. That features a trio of younger stars — Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — who’re coming off standout WNBA seasons.

Lawson’s message to the newcomers is straightforward.

“Be your self,” she stated. “You recognize, your play and your confidence is what introduced you right here.”

Clark, making her World Cup debut, is among the many gamers Lawson expects to make a right away impression. Lawson stated Clark’s capacity to create tempo, rating and distribute ought to match effectively with the U.S. roster.

“She’s any individual that may change video games together with her capacity to create tempo, her capacity to attain, play, make,” Lawson stated. “We’re enthusiastic about having her on the crew, and, you understand, anticipating her to make an impression for us every recreation.”

Lawson additionally is aware of the competitors dealing with Crew USA is getting harder. Worldwide girls’s basketball continues to develop, creating extra depth throughout the sphere.

“There’s no query that the world is bettering at a fast charge,” Lawson stated. “I feel it’s going to be probably the most tough World Cup to win that we’ve had due to that.”

For Lawson and Crew USA, the duty now could be constructing chemistry shortly and turning a proficient assortment of gamers right into a cohesive crew.

“We’re hungry and we’re targeted on making an attempt to place our greatest performances on show and see if we will get the job finished,” Lawson stated.