The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS he prepares to enrol at Limestone University in South Carolina in August, Bahamian Gregory McKay Jr is hoping his trip home will help him to make an immediate impact as a rookie for the Saints men’s basketball team.

“I just want to go there and get better every day,” said McKay Jr, a former standout. “I’m sure I will work hard, do what I’ve been told and just be a good team-mate.

“I spent a lot of time here in the Bahamas preparing myself. I did a lot of workout on the beach and so I feel I’m fit and ready to go to South Carolina and get ready for our training camp that starts on Monday.”

On Friday, McKay is scheduled to leave the Bahamas for South Carolina where he will begin his formal practices and training on Monday. It’s uncertain exactly when the season will get underway, but the 19-year-old McKay Jr said he intends to be ready.

“I felt at the time, this was the best environment for me. I like the coaching staff, my team-mates. I met some great people, so I think they will be a great place for me,” said the 6-foot, 5-inch forward.

“I spoke to the coach recently and he expects me to come in and work hard every day. He wants me to come in every day and compete and get better.”

His mother, Anishka Taylor, said that the good thing is that her son has not lost the common touch.

“I’m proud that he’s remaining humble and that he is remaining true to the way that he has been brought up,” she said. “I know that any success he has achieved has not changed him in any bit. So I’m just grateful and thankful for that.”

And as he gets ready to enrol in college, Taylor said she anticipates that he will continue to follow the instructions that he was taught from an early age.

“I’m sure he’s going to continue to do well, so all I can say is I expect him to remain humble and remember where he came from and don’t allow his success to get to head.

“Everything will be okay for him once he keeps God first in everything he does. I know that everything will go just fine for him.”

Looking back at his prep year that he used to get ready for college, McKay said he had a great time.

“The ultimate goal was to get into a good college and I did that,” said McKay Jr, who averaged 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game. “I felt that was good on my behalf.”

Having met the team members, McKay Jr said he feels what he learnt in prep school will enable him to fit right into his new college system.

In the meantime, McKay Jr said he enjoyed his few weeks he spent here at home in the Bahamas with his family and friends.

“I got to soak up some sun, went to the beach to workout. I got my belly full of Bahamian food, so I could say I had a great time here,” McKay Jr stressed. “I just wanted to spend as much time as I could with my family.

“I know once I leave here to go to college, it’s going to be a while before I get a break to come back home. So I just wanted to enjoy my time here.”

He thanked his family for their considerate amount of time and energy invested in him.

“I want to thank God because without him, this wouldn’t be possible,” he said.

McKay Jr, a former player with the Mt Carmel Cavaliers basketball team, left the Bahamas to complete his high school education in 2016.

He went on to graduate from Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida, where he played both basketball and volleyball.

After graduating from Piper High, McKay Jr went on to Hosanna College to prepare for college.

He was named the most valuable player for the Warbirds.

Just after receiving the award, McKay Jr scored 22 points in a Warbird’s 118-66 loss to Brunswick Community College in North Carolina.