The men’s teams for the upcoming Cayman Islands Classic were announced earlier this month, and now, the highly anticipated women’s teams have also been unveiled.
The third annual Cayman Islands Classic women’s basketball tournament will feature an impressive lineup of eight teams, including five from major power conferences.
Hosted by Caymax Sports Ltd., the tournament is set for 28-29 Nov. at the John Gray Gymnasium in George Town.
Headlining the competition are Florida, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State, all of whom participated in post-season play last year.
The strong and competitive field also includes Charlotte, George Washington, Memphis, Miami and St. John’s, each bringing experience and depth to the early-season event.
Joe Wright, owner and CEO of Caymax Sports Ltd., expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament in a recent Cayman Islands Classic press release.
“As we head into year three of the Women’s Cayman Islands Classic, we’re proud to welcome eight of the top programs in the nation,” he said. “This year’s field is stacked with elite talent and experienced coaches, setting the stage for intense, high-level competition. Combining great basketball with the stunning beauty of the Cayman Islands, teams and fans can expect an unforgettable experience on and off the court.”
Oklahoma State, under coach Jacie Hoyt, had a strong 25-7 season last year, reaching the NCAA Tournament and finishing No. 22 in the final USA Today Sports Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll. They also secured a third-place finish in the Big 12 Conference with a 14-4 record.
Georgia Tech, with new coach Karen Blair, enters the tournament after a 22-11 season that included an NCAA Tournament appearance.
Florida, led by fifth-year head coach Kelly Rae Finley, looks to build on last season’s momentum, which saw them achieve a 19-18 record and advance to the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament semi-finals.
The tournament also features seasoned coaches like Joe Tartamella, who has guided St. John’s to five 20-win seasons.
Tricia Cullop, a two-time past president of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, is in her second year as head coach at Miami.
Ganiyat Adeduntan is in her first year leading George Washington in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Charlotte and Memphis are strong contenders from the American Athletic Conference.
Lisa Stockton, executive tournament director of the Cayman Islands Classic women’s basketball tournament, highlighted the competitive nature of the upcoming event.
“As a former head coach, I know how important early-season competition is – and this year’s Cayman Islands Classic is among the most competitive tournaments in the country, featuring an impressive lineup of elite coaches and talented players,” Stockton said. “We’ve brought together a strong field with both power conference teams and top mid-major programs, setting the stage for an exceptional tournament. With high-level talent and experienced coaches across the board, basketball fans can look forward to intense competition.”
Utah State were the champions in the inaugural 2023 women’s tournament while Texas Christian University claimed overall victory in the 2024 edition.
More details on the event can be found on caymanislandsclassic.com.
