The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ANOTHER Bahamian talent on the basketball court will receive an opportunity to elevate his game and educational opportunities.

Nashad Mackey is expected to continue his basketball career at the NCAA Division II level after he signed with the Embry-Riddle Eagles this week.

Mackey is currently in his second year with the Daytona State College Falcons in the Juco Ranks.

The 6’6”, 215-pound swingman said the educational opportunities at Embry-Riddle was at the forefront of his decision-making process.

“I always valued my education. Being an engineering major, Embry-Riddle is one of the best programmes nationwide. The university and campus is growing rapidly. Also Embry-Riddle is a winning programme under the leadership of Steve Ridder, who is father of the head coach at Daytona State. I also developed a great relationship with the entire coaching staff through this recruiting process and I believe they had my best interest at heart,” he said.

In his freshman season with the Falcons, he averaged 9.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47 per cent from the field and 26 per cent from three-point range.

This season, Mackey has seen those numbers increase across the board and through five games is averaging 15.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 56 per cent from the field and 37 per cent from three.

In five games he has posted three double doubles with several standout performances, including 28 points and 11 rebounds in a 105-78 win over South Georgia Technical College and 18 points and 15 rebounds in a 77-74 loss to Florida Southwestern.

“My time here at Daytona has been a blast, I’ve spent countless amounts of hours working on my game and making a body transition. It paid off quite fine. I became more athletic and agile, making the game a whole lot better for myself,” he said. “I think I’ll fit into the programme effectively. My skill set is sufficient to make immediate impact and, who knows, maybe an all conference player. At this level division two and with this programme I can play anywhere on the court from 1-5.”

This season is ERAU’s third and final year of the NCAA II transition process after spending its entire history in NAIA.

Mackey was a former standout for the CR Walker Knights and head coach Trevor Grant. He relocated to the US and the Champagnat Catholic School Lions programme in Hialeah, Florida, along with fellow Bahamians Jaron Cornish and Oswald Parker.

Mackey was named to the Miami Herald’s All-Dade first-team for 4A-2A schools in Dade County, Florida, and also named to the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches (FABC) and Source Hoops 2014-2015 Boys Class 2A All-State Teams.  

He posted averages of 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks per game.

This offseason his attempt to make the men’s senior national team was seen as a learning experience and motivation to get better.

“After the national team experience I think there’s always room for improvement, but if I can do anything to get better it would be staying consistent. Being consistent on both sides of the court. And if there was anything to improve it would be my foot speed,” he said. “Overall I’m grateful to be in the position I’m in now and ready to embark on this journey. With God all things are possible.”