The basketball world lost one of its most respected figures when Joye Lee-McNelis passed away at 63 after a courageous battle with lung cancer that spanned nearly a decade. Her death on June 24, 2025, marked the end of an extraordinary 34-season coaching career that transformed countless lives both on and off the court.
McNelis didn’t just coach basketball—she built legacies. Her influence extended far beyond the 568 career wins she accumulated across Memphis and Southern Miss, touching the lives of players who remember her not for her tactical brilliance, but for her unwavering commitment to their personal growth.
From player to program builder at Southern Miss
McNelis arrived in Hattiesburg 45 years ago as a freshman from Hancock North Central High School. She finished her playing career with the second-most points in school history, helping the 1980-81 squad reach Southern Miss’s first-ever postseason tournament appearance.
After earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Southern Miss, she embarked on a coaching journey that would define women’s basketball in the region. Her philosophy centered on building relationships first, basketball skills second—a approach that created lasting bonds with every player who stepped into her program.
John Calipari captured her coaching essence perfectly: “Joye Lee’ll tell you, I used to go to her practices because she pressed way better than I was pressing. A good woman. A terrific coach. And I am McNelis strong.”
Building championship culture across two programs
Memphis success sets the foundation
At Memphis (1991-2004), McNelis compiled a 229-156 record while capturing four regular-season conference championships and two tournament titles. Her Tigers reached the NCAA Tournament four consecutive years (1995-1998), establishing her reputation as a program builder who could compete at the highest level.
Southern Miss becomes home
Returning to her alma mater in 2004, McNelis spent 21 seasons transforming the Lady Eagles. Her 339-308 record included five WNIT appearances and the 2022-23 Sun Belt regular-season championship. More importantly, she developed 45 all-conference players and guided 13 former players to professional careers.
Future Lady Eagle Hall of Famer Pauline Love, who earned three First Team All-C-USA selections under McNelis, exemplified the type of player development that became her coaching trademark.
Impact extends beyond basketball wins
McNelis understood that coaching meant mentoring young women for life after basketball. She established the ‘Wings’ booster club, organized the Extraordinary Eagles program honoring academic achievement, and led community service efforts that earned her team the Athletic Department’s Community Service Award.
Her commitment to service was legendary—she once rode a mechanical bull to raise over $7,000 for the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, demonstrating her willingness to step outside comfort zones for worthy causes.
Recognition reflects lasting influence
McNelis received numerous honors throughout her career, including the 2024 Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award and induction into Southern Miss’s Legends Club. She was named one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year in 2025, and will be inducted into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame later this year.
Her battle with lung cancer, first diagnosed in 2017 with recurrences in 2021, 2023, and 2025, never diminished her dedication to her players and program. She continued coaching and mentoring until her retirement announcement in February 2025.
A legacy measured in transformed lives
As tributes pour in from across the basketball community, one theme emerges consistently: McNelis’s greatest victories weren’t measured in wins and losses, but in the character development of the young women she coached. Her influence will continue through the countless players, coaches, and community members whose lives she touched during her remarkable 34-year career.
The basketball world mourns not just a successful coach, but a transformational leader who understood that true coaching success is measured in the lives you change, not the games you win.
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