The U.S. women's basketball team is assembling a powerhouse coaching staff for the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup, and the lineup reads like a who's who of elite WNBA leadership. USA Basketball officially announced that Nate Tibbetts, Natalie Nakase, and Stephanie White will serve as assistant coaches under head coach Kara Lawson for the tournament in Berlin this September.
This dynamic trio brings a wealth of experience from the sidelines, having already worked together during the World Cup qualifying tournament back in March. Their chemistry and basketball IQ impressed USA Basketball Women's National Team managing director Sue Bird, who praised their leadership and deep understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Tibbetts, currently in his third season as head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, led his team to the WNBA Finals last season before falling to the Aces. His resume includes 12 years as an NBA assistant with the Cavaliers, Trail Blazers, and Magic—a blend of pro experience that brings a sharp tactical edge.
Nakase, the reigning WNBA Coach of the Year, made history by guiding the expansion Golden State Valkyries to the playoffs in just her second season. Her decade-long coaching journey spans the NBA, WNBA, and international leagues, including head coaching stints in Japan and Germany and assistant roles with the Aces and Clippers.
White, now in her second year leading the Indiana Fever, orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in 2025, steering the team to their first WNBA Commissioner's Cup and deepest postseason run since 2015. Her previous tenure with the Fever, both as an assistant and head coach over six seasons, gives her a deep-rooted connection to the program.
The U.S. will aim for its fifth consecutive World Cup title in Berlin. With a roster expected to feature rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers alongside veterans A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, this coaching staff is built to blend youth with championship pedigree. Get ready for a summer of electrifying basketball as the team is finalized and the quest for gold begins.