Team USA is expected to dominate the FIBA Women’s World Cup, but head coach Kara Lawson isn’t letting anyone get comfortable. She’s openly expressing “appropriate fear of the task ahead” as they chase a 30-straight World Cup win streak to capture gold, even as other national teams improve at a rapid rate. This squad is loaded, but Lawson’s got her eyes wide open.
Kara Lawson’s Reality Check for the Squad
Lawson isn’t pulling punches, laying out the raw truth for Team USA despite the massive talent pool. The world isn’t just sitting around, folks. In a virtual press conference on Tuesday, she said, “I think there’s no question that the world is improving at a rapid rate. It’s so exciting to see, and I see it at every level. There’s more depth to the teams at the World Cup. Now when you look at rosters, there’s a number of just high-quality players. … I think it’s going to be the most difficult World Cup to win that we’ve had because of that.” She then added, “It should be hard to win. It’s a World Cup. It’s the best teams, and it’s a tough schedule, and it’s short. … Every team’s job is to try and win this, and so we’re hungry and we’re focused on trying to put our best performances on display and see if we can get the job done.” That’s a serious warning, especially with “the GOAT” absent from this Team USA roster. It shows Lawson knows the stakes are higher than ever, and this isn’t some casual stroll to victory.
Unrivaled Champs Taking Over Team USA
One of the coolest things about watching Team USA is seeing all the connections on the court. You’ve got current teammates, former teammates, and even rivals, like Huskies and Gamecocks, all rocking the red, white, and blue together. And now, the “Unrivaled” league adds another layer to the lore. This World Cup squad features three absolute studs from the first-ever Unrivaled champions, the 2025 winners Rose: Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Angel Reese! You know I’m hoping to see those “Rosebuds” get some serious floor time together in Berlin. It’s a bummer that Kelsey Plum’s not around to rekindle that insane two-woman connection she had with Aliyah Boston back in the 2026 season with Phantom BC. But guess what? Both members of that Phantom frontcourt, Boston and Kiki Iriafen, *are* in Berlin, which opens up the potential for a new dynamic duo pairing. Plus, Unrivaled has balanced representation across Team USA, with every club making its mark.
The FIBA Women’s World Cup is tipping off, and while everyone expects Team USA to extend their incredible 30-straight win streak and snag that gold, Lawson’s warning shots prove it won’t be a cakewalk. Keep an eye out for those Rosebuds, Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, and Angel Reese, to hit the court together in Berlin, and maybe we’ll even see a Phantom BC reunion with Aliyah Boston and Kiki Iriafen. This squad is hungry, and it’s time to watch them get the job done.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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