USA Basketball has officially named Nate Tibbetts, Natalie Nakase, and Stephanie White as assistant coaches for the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup this September. The trio will support head coach Kara Lawson as the team aims to extend its historic run.
All three coaches previously worked together during the World Cup qualifying tournament in March, building chemistry that managing director Sue Bird praised. "Over the last several months, I've seen the incredible impact Natalie, Nate, and Stephanie have each had on the USA Women's National Team program," Bird said. "They have elite basketball minds and are all leaders who understand what it takes to represent the U.S. at the highest level."
The U.S. women's team heads to Berlin with an incredible legacy—having won the last four World Cup titles. This year's squad could feature a mix of veteran stars like four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, alongside rising talents such as Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. The final roster will be selected this summer.
Tibbetts, now in his third season as head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, led the team to the WNBA Finals last season. His coaching journey spans 12 years as an NBA assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic before joining the Mercury in 2024.
Nakase enters her second year at the helm of the Golden State Valkyries after being named WNBA Coach of the Year last season. She guided the expansion team to the playoffs in its debut year. Her resume includes a decade of coaching experience across the NBA, WNBA, and international leagues—including assistant roles with the Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Clippers, plus head coaching stints in Japan and Germany.
White, in her second year leading the Indiana Fever, made an immediate impact by guiding the team to its first WNBA Commissioner's Cup title in 2025 and deepest playoff run since 2015. Her history with the Fever runs deep, having previously served as both assistant and head coach from 2011 to 2016.
With this experienced coaching staff in place, the stage is set for another exciting chapter in USA Basketball's dominant women's program.