TURLOCK — California State University Stanislaus named Wayman Strickland its women's basketball head coach, as announced today by Director of Athletics Michael Matoso.

Strickland, 42, who will become the University's sixth women's basketball head coach, begins his post on Aug. 1.

“I am pleased to announce Wayman Strickland as the new women's basketball head coach at Cal State Stanislaus,” Matoso said. “Wayman has excelled at every level of basketball as a student-athlete, a professional player and as a coach.”

Strickland has been the assistant coach for the women's basketball program at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton since 2009. He also served as an instructor in physical education and counselor to the student-athletes.

“I am very excited to join the Warrior Athletics department, I look forward to leading the women's program and strengthening our ties within the community,” said Strickland. “The Central Valley has great basketball talent and my first priority is to have those young ladies become Warriors and represent our University.”

Prior to his stint at Delta College, Strickland was the varsity girls coach (2007-09) and varsity boys assistant coach (2002-07) at Stockton's Edison High School.

“Throughout the search (process) one thing that stood out was Wayman's character and ability to motivate young people in a positive manner,” added Matoso. ”He has close ties to the Central Valley and is very excited about recruiting local talent to play at Cal State Stanislaus. I am very confident that he will build a very successful program here.”

Strickland spent nine years as a professional player in Europe and Asia.  His accolades include being named the top point guard in the Asian Basketball Championships three times (1996-98). He was the most valuable player of the 1997 Asian Basketball Championships.

Strickland was a four-year starter at the University of San Diego from 1988 to 1992, when he amassed 1,040 career points. Currently, he still holds the third spot in the USD record book with 408 assists.

As a prep player, Strickland was a standout at San Francisco's Archbishop Riordan High School, where he was the 1988 San Francisco Bay Area player of the year.

He obtained his Bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in business administration from USD in 1992. This spring, he earned a Master's degree in kinesiology and sports management from Saint Mary's College.