Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Green Bay on November 3, 2026 at TBA
Women's Basketball
vs Green Bay
Photo by: USA Basketball
Gray, Lawson Lead USA To FIBA World Cup Gold Medal
9/13/2026 6:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BERLIN, GERMANY – Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson and former standout guard Chelsea Gray helped lead the United States to its fifth consecutive and 12th overall World Cup with a 97-79 win over France (5-1) in the gold medal game of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup at Berlin Arena.
With 12 gold medals, the USA now have twice as many as any other team (USSR, 6). The fifth consecutive title matches the feat achieved only once before (USSR, 1959-1975). The USA have improved their World Cup win streak to 36 consecutive games.
"I think it just shows the strength of our federation," USA head coach Kara Lawson said. "And really the strength of our players. In the biggest moments, they continue to play their best."
Chelsea Gray was outstanding in the commanding victory, finishing with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Gray was instrumental in leading the United States in a stellar second half en route to the18-point win.
Lawson, serving as head coach for the first time in the FIBA World Cup, pushed the U.S. to its 12th FIBA World Cup gold medal and fifth straight.
The United States has now won 36 straight in World Cup action. Jackie Young was named the FIBA World Cup Final Player of the Game.
Gray (12, 5) and Young (18, 5) are the first pair of teammates with 10+ points and 5+ assists in a Women's World Cup Final.
Postgame Notes
It's All Takin' and No Givin'
France got out to a hot start in the first half behind hot shooting and 8 3-pointers. The French led 31-17 after taking a 13-0 run to start the quarter. The U.S. clawed their way back to close to a 43-45 deficit – the narrowest halftime margin in World Cup history – entering halftime when Caitlin Clark connected on a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. The USA relied on the veteran leadership of Jackie Young (13 PT, 3 REB, 4 AST), Breanna Stewart (12 PT, 5 REB) and Chelsea Gray (10 PT, 2 REB, 3 AST) to get back into the contest.
Coat of Many Colors
Prior to starting as an assistant coach with the USA Women ahead of the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, Kara Lawson was a coach in the USA 3x3 National Team program. As a head coach at the 3x3 senior level, Lawson owns a 2020 Olympic women's gold medal and 2019 Pan American Games men's and women's gold medals. She is the first coach in USA history to own head coaching gold medals at both the 3x3 and 5-on-5 levels. Assistant coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White became first-time gold medalists in Berlin.
#GoDuke
With 12 gold medals, the USA now have twice as many as any other team (USSR, 6). The fifth consecutive title matches the feat achieved only once before (USSR, 1959-1975). The USA have improved their World Cup win streak to 36 consecutive games.
"I think it just shows the strength of our federation," USA head coach Kara Lawson said. "And really the strength of our players. In the biggest moments, they continue to play their best."
Chelsea Gray was outstanding in the commanding victory, finishing with 12 points, five assists and four rebounds. Gray was instrumental in leading the United States in a stellar second half en route to the18-point win.
Lawson, serving as head coach for the first time in the FIBA World Cup, pushed the U.S. to its 12th FIBA World Cup gold medal and fifth straight.
The United States has now won 36 straight in World Cup action. Jackie Young was named the FIBA World Cup Final Player of the Game.
Gray (12, 5) and Young (18, 5) are the first pair of teammates with 10+ points and 5+ assists in a Women's World Cup Final.
Postgame Notes
It's All Takin' and No Givin'
France got out to a hot start in the first half behind hot shooting and 8 3-pointers. The French led 31-17 after taking a 13-0 run to start the quarter. The U.S. clawed their way back to close to a 43-45 deficit – the narrowest halftime margin in World Cup history – entering halftime when Caitlin Clark connected on a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. The USA relied on the veteran leadership of Jackie Young (13 PT, 3 REB, 4 AST), Breanna Stewart (12 PT, 5 REB) and Chelsea Gray (10 PT, 2 REB, 3 AST) to get back into the contest.
Coat of Many Colors
Prior to starting as an assistant coach with the USA Women ahead of the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup, Kara Lawson was a coach in the USA 3x3 National Team program. As a head coach at the 3x3 senior level, Lawson owns a 2020 Olympic women's gold medal and 2019 Pan American Games men's and women's gold medals. She is the first coach in USA history to own head coaching gold medals at both the 3x3 and 5-on-5 levels. Assistant coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts and Stephanie White became first-time gold medalists in Berlin.
#GoDuke
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 31
