Duke hires Boston Celtics assistant Kara Lawson to be its next women’s basketball coach
Duke University has officially hired former University of Tennessee and WNBA superstar Kara Lawson as its next women’s basketball coach.
OFFICIAL.
Welcome to Duke, Kara Lawson! pic.twitter.com/0IIV5WprPD
— Duke Women’s Basketball (@DukeWBB) July 11, 2020
Most recently, Lawson spent one season serving as an assistant coach on Brad Stevens’ staff with the Boston Celtics.
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— Kara Lawson (@karalawson20) July 11, 2020
Lawson, 39, has been one of the most successful women’s basketball players – on and off the court – in the history of the sport.
She spent her college years playing under the legendary Pat Summitt at Tennessee, before being selected with the 5th pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock, which immediately traded her to the Sacramento Monarchs.
Kara Lawson was a collegiate star at Tennessee under Pat Summitt:
4x All-SEC selection (1999-03)
2nd all-time in 3-pt FG pct (.415)
3rd all-time in 3-pt FGs (256)
6th all-time in career points (1,950)
6th all-time in career assists (456) pic.twitter.com/CnyJ1WZMJj
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2020
She spent 13 years in the WNBA, winning a WNBA title in 2005 with the Monarchs.
Lawson also won a Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a member of the USA women’s national basketball team.
After retiring from the game, she served as a broadcaster for the Sacramento Kings, and in 2017, Lawson became the lead on-air analyst for the Washington Wizards, before beginning her coaching career with the Celtics.
Congrats to Kara Lawson, named Analyst for the NBA’s Washington Wizards! Nobody has better perspective on the game. https://t.co/PwO49ZvWcR
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) September 28, 2017
At Duke, Lawson will take over for Joanne P. McCallie, who led the Blue Devils program for the past 13 seasons.
On July 2, McCallie announced that she would be stepping down as head coach.
“I am choosing to step away as head coach at Duke. As a coach in the final year of my contact, uncertainty is natural and it takes away from confidence and fun. I am pretty sure there is a level of uncertainty among the Duke family.”
“Hello from Coach P. I hope you all are safe and healthy during these very challenging times.
I just had a very difficult conversation with a group of women that I love and adore and admire…” pic.twitter.com/5pN2Swdfau
— Duke Women’s Basketball (@DukeWBB) July 2, 2020
Lawson will have some large shoes to fill.
Under McCallie, Duke totaled a 330-107 record, made 10 NCAA tournament appearances and won 3 ACC tournament titles. She was a 3-time ACC Coach of the Year.
However, Lawson’s pedigree is second to none, considering her time spent under Summitt, who won 8 National Championships and won 1,098 games as the head coach at Tennessee.
Latest branches on the Summitt coaching tree:
Nikki McCray → Mississippi State
Shalon Pillow → Florida A&M
Kara Lawson → Duke3 former Lady Vols have landed new Division I head coaching gigs in the last four months! #LVFL pic.twitter.com/4o4c6NCQXo
— Lady Vol Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) July 11, 2020
