{"id":527550,"date":"2026-03-16T21:36:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T21:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/527550\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T21:36:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T21:36:08","slug":"nate-tibbetts-catches-team-usa-players-attention-amid-adversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/527550\/","title":{"rendered":"Nate Tibbetts catches Team USA player’s attention amid adversity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nate Tibbetts<\/a> is in a role unlike any other for Team USA. As the latter is in the FIBA World Cup, the Phoenix Mercury<\/a> head coach has stepped into the acting head coach role for Team USA.<\/p>\n

Current head coach Kara Lawson is away from the team while she is in the NCAA tournament with Duke women’s basketball. Because of this, he was immediately assigned Lawson’s responsibility.<\/p>\n

Still, one thing that has always stood out was Tibbetts’s approach to connecting<\/a> with his players. Sometimes, it’s harsh criticism, but one that the players need to hear.<\/p>\n

It’s something that Team USA and Atlanta Dream guard\/forward Rhyne Howard was glad to hear. She’s also been appreciative of how transparent Tibbetts has been throughout the rapid transition<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think just the way he battles adversity. Going from the assistant to the head coach on a short turnaround. As you said, we haven\u2019t had many practices. But he\u2019s still coming in, making sure that we\u2019re staying engaged. Making sure that we know everything that\u2019s going on,\u201d Howard said via Moreau Sports Media.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can speak for everybody when I say there\u2019s no confusion amongst the players about what he wants, what he\u2019s asking for. Just the way he\u2019s handling that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts sparked a fire for Team USA<\/p>\n

When Team USA played against New Zealand, they didn’t look like their dominant self. They came out with a lackluster effort, something Tibbetts has no tolerance for.<\/p>\n

While only leading by a point, his patience wore out<\/a>. During a timeout, audio caught the Mercury head coach saying this to his team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re going to make mistakes, but our body language, how we look at each other, that s*** matters,\u201d Tibbetts said, passionately via Robin Lundberg on X (formerly Twitter).<\/p>\n

\u201cPlay through mistakes, f*** all that s***. We gotta play, turn this thing up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nate Tibbetts with a polite pep talk pic.twitter.com\/2XUuawXk3y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) March 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

For someone like Kahleah Copper, she’s all too familiar with her head coach’s expectations. They’re not unrealistic, but they cover the bare bones of basketball: playing with effort, communicating, and asserting your will.<\/p>\n

However, Howard sees Tibbetts walking the fine line<\/a> between expectations and maintaining the Team USA standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust the way he\u2019s still trying to essentially make sure he\u2019s doing things the right way,\u201d Howard added. \u201cNot that there is a right way or a wrong way, but he\u2019s handling this with grace. And we take that, and we follow his lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

As long as Lawson and Duke women’s basketball are in the NCAA tournament, it will be Tibbetts’s show.<\/p>\n