By Moses Joshua 
Bahamian standout joins Wildcats as graduate assistant, bringing global experience and rekindling national team bond with Mikhail McLean
A New Voice with Global Perspective Joins the Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball program continues to evolve under Mark Pope, and the latest addition to the coaching support staff brings not just talent but a wealth of international experience. Bahamian native Willis Mackey Jr. is officially joining the program as a graduate assistant for the 2025–26 season, the former professional player announced via Instagram.
Mackey’s hire doesn’t just fill a vacancy — it reunites two of the Bahamas’ most recognized basketball figures. Mackey will now work alongside Mikhail McLean, Kentucky’s assistant coach and fellow Bahamian national team member. Their shared history and connection on the court could translate into a strong off-court synergy that benefits Kentucky’s locker room culture and player development.
From Global Courts to Coaching Ambitions
Before stepping into a coaching role, Mackey built a playing career that spanned multiple continents. Following a brief college playing stint at Northwestern Ohio during the 2017–18 season — where he posted 11 points and 5 rebounds in a single outing — he went on to compete professionally in France from 2020 to 2023. His time in Europe included meaningful contributions, though persistent injuries eventually led him to shift gears toward coaching.
Mackey’s coaching journey began quickly and impressively. He most recently served as an assistant coach at Chipola College in Florida, one of the top junior college programs in the nation. Now, he steps into the graduate assistant role vacated by Leander Ridgeway, who is moving on to become an assistant video coordinator with the Utah Jazz, according to Hoop Dirt.
A National Team Bond Strengthens Kentucky’s Staff
For Mackey, joining Kentucky is more than just a career move — it’s a reunion. His relationship with McLean, forged through years of representing Team Bahamas in international competitions like the FIBA AmeriCup and World Cup qualifiers, brings familiarity and shared purpose to Pope’s staff. Their collective experience on the global stage may be a powerful asset in mentoring young players, many of whom aspire to professional careers beyond U.S. borders.
Kentucky’s addition of Mackey signals a broader vision from Coach Pope — one that values diverse experience and international perspectives. With Mackey’s arrival, the Wildcats gain not only a promising young coach but a culturally rich voice who understands both the struggle and strategy of building a basketball career from the ground up.
Conclusion: A Rising Coach in the Making
Though his playing days were cut short, Willis Mackey Jr. has wasted no time making a name for himself on the sidelines. Now in one of college basketball’s most storied programs, his next chapter begins — one filled with potential, promise, and a powerful homecoming of sorts.
In a program focused on development, Mackey’s presence might be just the boost the Wildcats need as they chart a new course under Coach Pope.