The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LOURAWLS Nairn Jr achieved many milestones as a player for Mokan Elite Basketball and is now starting to build his résumé on the sidelines as a coach on the staff of his former AAU club.

Nairn served as an assistant coach for the latest Mokan Elite team that captured the 17U title at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam, hosted at the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, Georgia.

Mokan Elite edged out Team Takeover 53-52, and ends the summer circuit for the club with a record of 26-4.

Nairn reflected on his days as a player at the same event a decade ago when his title chase came up just short.

“Ten years ago, I was on the first Mokan EYBL final four team as a player. We lost that final four game,” he said. “Yesterday I was on our third peach jam championship team as an assistant coach! I have a word for you. Just because you didn’t accomplish something in one season of your life, doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish it in another!! Don’t get off the treadmill first! To God be the glory! Peach Jam Champs!”

The Nike EYBL circuit traditionally showcases the top players and programmes throughout the United States culminating in a week long competition at the Peach Jam.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and University of Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari were among the many current and future Basketball Hall of Famers in attendance.

Nairn’s post playing career has taken him to the NBA, NCAA and prep levels. He currently serves as the head coach of the post graduate basketball programme at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas.

He spent the 2018 season in a role with the Phoenix Suns as a member of the coaching staff with a focus on player development and also made his debut as an author with an autobiography entitled “Purpose Driven.”

After two years, he returned to his prep alma mater for the first head coaching appointment of his young career.

During his playing days at Sunrise, Nairn rose from a little known recruit to a highly sought after Division I prospect.

In his senior season with the Buffaloes, he averaged 17.6 points, 5.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game to lead SCA to a 16-3 record.

He shot 52.4 percent from the field, including 38.9 percent from three-point range and started every game over his final two seasons.

Sunrise Christian Academy retired Nairn’s no.11 jersey in 2021.

He went on to play four seasons for the Michigan State Spartans and was part of two Big Ten championship teams while reaching the Final Four in his freshman season of 2015.

“It is such a blessing to be able to start my coaching career at my high school alma mater, a place that is so close to my heart,” Nairn said at the time of his appointment.

“Like being a graduate manager the past two seasons for coach Izzo and the Michigan State men’s basketball team, this opportunity is another depiction of the grace of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I’m ready to learn, lead, motivate, inspire and, most importantly, serve.”

Nairn was one of several players in the pipeline from The Bahamas to Sunrise Christian.

These players also included Indiana Pacers guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (Oklahoma) along with Division I talents Nathan Bain (Stephen F Austin), Travis Munnings (Louisiana-Monroe), and Radshad Davis (UT-Arlington/FIU) among others.