Duke women's basketball program hired Kara Lawson as its head coach on Saturday.

The 39-year-old Lawson was an assistant with the Celtics this season.

"Well, it is a dream come true for me. I have wanted to be a coach since I was a kid. To have an opportunity to lead a group of young women at a prestigious university like Duke -- I have run out of words; it is unbelievable and very exciting," said Lawson in a statement.

Lawson is the first Black head coach in the program's history.

"Throughout the process, it became abundantly clear that her authenticity, passion, contemporary vision and unwavering commitment to the student-athlete experience align seamlessly with the values of the institution," said athletic director Kevin White.