Lisa Willis is the First Female Coach in New York Knicks’ History

Lisa Camille Willis, first female coach in New York Knicks history

Lisa Camille Willis is a retired athlete who in September 2019 officially became the first woman ever to become an assistant coach for the Westchester Knicks - a G League team franchise of the NBA's New York Knicks.
Before becoming a retired athlete, Willis reached great levels of success during her playing career. She won a basketball scholarship to UCLA, and went on to become an all-time 3-point shooter and a leader in steals during her college career. During her time at UCLA, from 2002-2006, she accumulated 1,677 points.

Afterwards, she went on to win PAC12 Defensive Player of the Year, PAC12 Tournament MVP, and even won a gold medal playing for the USA women's basketball team. In 2006, she was the 5th overall pick in the WNBA, and went on to become a 3-point leader for the Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty and the Sacramento Monarchs.

Sadly, her playing career ended in 2010 after she tore 3 or the 4 ligaments in her knee. But her career as an NBA coach has just begun!

Willis finds extreme beauty, passion, and significance in the leadership skills she has gained from the game of basketball. She says the biggest leadership skill she’s gained from being an elite athlete is resilience; so she always talks about it.