GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS – The all-time winningest women's basketball coach in the state of Louisiana and a recent inductee to the Conference USA Hall of Fame and Tulane Hall of Fame, former Tulane University head coach Lisa Stockton has been named Executive Tournament Director of the Cayman Islands Classic Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The event, which attracts the top collegiate women’s basketball programs from the United States, is held annually during Thanksgiving weekend at John Gray Gymnasium, just minutes away from the world famous Seven Mile Beach.
"I am thrilled to be the Executive Tournament Director of the Cayman Islands Classic Women’s Tournament,” Stockton said. “I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to promote and elevate women’s basketball. This tournament is more than just a series of games — it’s a platform to showcase the incredible talent while providing teams and fans with lasting memories. I’m excited to help grow this event into the premier tournament in the Caribbean.”
Stockton announced her retirement in March following 30 years as the Green Wave head women's basketball coach, wrapping up her third decade at the helm during the 2023-24 season. Upon retirement, Stockton ranked as the all-time winningestwomen’s basketball coach in the state of Louisiana. A 2023 Conference USA Hall of Fame inductee, as well as a 2024 Tulane Hall of Fame selection, her 591 career Division I victories ranked her 14th among all active Division I coaches and her 654 overall wins put her 27th on the NCAA all-time active wins list.
Stockton's victories represent 78 percent Tulane’s overall win total since its first season (1975-76). Stockton has coached eight players and one team who have been inducted into the Tulane Hall of Fame as well as five WNBA players.
Stockton is one of the most respected names in all of college basketball. The Greensboro, N.C. native was named one of the 25 most influential women in Louisiana sports history by The Advocate in 2022. In 2020, Silver Waves Media tabbed her as one of the 100 Most Impactful People nationally across the sport of women's college basketball. To that end, Stockton was a member of the NCAA Women's Basketball Issues Committee and was previously on its Academic Subcommittee. Dubbed one of CitiBusiness's 2007 Women of the Year, she is currently on the NCAA regional ranking committee, has also had two stints on the Kodak All-American Committee, twice chaired the Conference-USA Women's Basketball Coaches and served four terms as the WBCA Conference Captain.
“Choosing a Tournament Director who is a proven leader in women’s basketball was a priority for us,” said Jill Turk, Chief Strategy Officer for Caymax Sports LTD. “Coach Stockton’s exceptional career and dedication to the game make her an ideal fit for this role. We’re honored to work with someone who truly represents the best of women’s college basketball.”
Stockton led Tulane to 21 postseason appearances, while averaging nearly 20 wins a season. She also helped the Green Wave secure five conference tournament championships and four regular season conference titles.
"We are excited to select Coach Stockton as Executive Director for our tournament,” said Joe Wright, Owner and CEO of Caymax Sports LTD. “This tournament is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Women’s NCAA basketball in the Cayman Islands, and Coach Stockton is a great addition to our team. We look forward to her bringing the top women’s teams to the Cayman Islands every year.”
The Cayman Islands Classic just wrapped up a successful second year of action.