The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

CHAMPAGNAT Catholic School has become a major pipeline for Bahamian basketball talent at the high school level, and now the latest product of the Hialeah, Florida institution has drawn interest from several NCAA programmes.

In his senior season with the Lions this fall, Nashad Mackey has become a highly sought after recruit for the class of 2015 as his team continues to be one of the best in South Florida.

“My season has been going great. My team and I are 11-0 thus far,” Mackey said. “The recruiting process has been good so far. I’ve yet to receive offers but I am being looked at by several schools. I am blessed to be recruited by major schools, but there are no favourites for me at this point and time.”

The 6’5” 220-pound Mackey has garnered interest from High Point University, Stetson University and Barry University.

Recently, he was named one of the Miami Herald’s Athletes of the Week for the period ending December 15.

Mackey scored 35 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in a win against Miami Christian and was named MVP of the A-Rod Classic as the Lions won the tournament title.

A former CR Walker Knight, he left the Bahamas three years ago before he chose to pursue his education and basketball career in the United States.

“The transition to switch countries isn’t so difficult when you know what you want to become in life,” Mackey said. “I came to America at a very young age. I was able to view and observe those ahead of me. That allowed me to increase my efforts in the classroom and put in the extra work even when nobody is watching.”

Mackey was known as more of a shooter when he was at CR Walker but has since said he developed his footwork and became more versatile, playing in the post and on the perimeter.