Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts named USA Basketball assistant for 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts was named as an assistant coach for USA Basketball’s 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin.

The tournament runs from Sept. 4-13.

Golden State’s Natalie Nakase and Indiana’s Stephanie White were also selected as assistants for the national team under head coach Kara Lawson.

“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,” team managing director Sue 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.

“They have built genuine chemistry in such a short amount of time along with a strong level of trust and collaboration as a group. I’m really excited to see everyone continue working together with Kara as we head into the World Cup this fall in Berlin.”

The trio of coaches were all on staff for the women’s qualifying tournament and served as court coaches at a pair of national team training camps last year.

This marks Tibbetts’ second stretch with a national team, having won a bronze medal as head coach of the men’s national team at the 2011 Pan American Games.

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