Lakeisha Gregory joined the Campbell women's basketball staff as an assistant coach in September 2022. She enters her third season on staff ahead of the 2024-25 season.
During Gregory's second season on staff in 2023-24 saw the Camels make the jump from the Big South Conference to the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). Campbell finished the season at 17-14 overall and 9-9 in CAA play, earning a first round bye for the conference tournament. Christabel Ezumah received all-conference nods for the season straight season, earning spots on the All-CAA Third Team and All-Defensive Team after averaging 12.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. Brittany Staves received the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award while Shy Tuelle was named the CAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Campbell once again anchored a tough defense ranking No. 8 nationally and leading the CAA in scoring defense, holding foes to 55.1 points per game, along with ranking No. 31 in the nation limiting teams to shoot 37.1 percent from the field and No. 10 in the country holding teams to shoot 26.5 percent from three. CU remained disciplined while playing excellent on the defensive end, ranking No. 23 in the country and leading the CAA with 13.8 fouls per game called against the team.
Campbell finished the 2022-23 season with a 16-15 overall record including a 10-8 mark in Big South play. The Camels reached the semifinals of the Big South tournament for the fourth straight season. Christabel Ezumah was named to the All-Big South first team after averaging 10.6 points, 9.2 boards and 1.9 blocks per game. Brittany Staves averaged 9.3 points and 4.7 boards, earning an All-Big South honorable mention selection. Staves was also named as the conference's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The Camels ranked No. 8 nationally in scoring defense, holding foes to 52.5 points per game as well as No. 8 in field goal percentage defense, limiting teams to shoot 35.1 percent from the floor.
Gregory joins Campbell after spending the twos season as an assistant coach with North Greenville women's basketball for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. While on staff she directed development of the Crusaders’ guards, assisted in scouting reports, orchestrated individual workouts and helped recruiting.
Before taking her first coaching job, Gregory served as director of operations with Indiana State women’s basketball for the 2019-20 season. She handled team travel and meal plans, assisted with community service events and coordinated alumni and fundraising opportunities.
Gregory played four seasons at Austin Peay from 2015-19. In her senior season campaign in 2019 she was named to the all-OVC first team, leading the conference in free throw percentage (88.9%) and ranking 13th in the nation.
A 2019 graduate from Austin Peay, Gregory earned her bachelors of science in health and human performance with a concentration in applied exercise science with a minor in leadership. She completed her M.S. in physical education at Indiana State in 2021.
“It has been a joy getting to know Lakeisha Gregory during the interview process,” said head coach Ronny Fisher upon hiring Gregory. “Lakeisha grew up in a basketball family where she developed a passion for coaching and for others. Her mother, legendary coach Karen Kemp, positively impacted the lives of thousands of young women while consistently building championship caliber programs during her career. Like her mom before her, Lakeisha displays a caring heart for others and she brings a competitive fire to the court.”
“She enjoyed a great playing career at Austin Peay University and she has gained valuable coaching experience in her coaching stints at Indiana State University and North Greenville University,” Fisher continued. “Lakeisha is another quality addition to our staff and she will make an immediate positive impact within our program.”
Gregory is the daughter of legendary former ETSU women’s basketball coach Karen Kemp, who amassed 272 career wins from 1994-2013. Kemp led the Buccaneers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2007-09 and two postseason WNIT berths in her tenure.
