Team USA head coach Kara Lawson spoke about Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese with glowing words after watching the 24-year-old make a run to the WNBA Finals.

Reese is looking like the frontrunner to walk away with the 2026 WNBA Finals MVP award, provided she can help the Dream convert their 2-1 Finals lead over the Golden State Valkyries into a title win.

Reese’s emergence as a star was clear all season, especially when she was called up to represent Team USA at the 2026 FIBA World Cup under head coach Kara Lawson.

Kara Lawson’s heavy praise for Angel Reese

Lawson appeared ‘The Bird’s Eye View’ podcast hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird, where she reflected on her time with Reese at Team USA, expressing how much she enjoyed coaching the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

“I don’t think I have ever enjoyed coaching a player more. It’s kind of hard to describe for people because she is kind of one of those people that I had no exposure to before the summer…

“Her focus every day, her competitiveness, her energy, her level of buy-in, and her belief in herself and the team she’s on. She’s hard to mess with; I like that about her. I have nothing but amazing things to say about coaching her.”

Reese averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game for Team USA’s six wins at the World Cup, playing a bench role behind established stars like Breanna Stewart, but impressing in her limited minutes.

Reese will be Team USA’s frontcourt star of the future after the likes of Stewart and A’ja Wilson are out of the picture. Until then, she has to continue solidifying her status as a WNBA superstar, which she can do with two more wins in the WNBA Finals.