The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

HE would have preferred to close out his career at Hosanna College with a victory, but Gregory McKay Jr was content with being named the most valuable player for the Warbirds.

On Monday night, just after he received the award, McKay Jr scored 22 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Warbirds got blown out 118-66 by Brunswick Community College in North Carolina.

“It was a blessing because it was a fun season here,” McKay Jr said. “I definitely want to thank God for the opportunity, especially because of the relationships that I developed here.”

Looking back at the season, McKay Jr said he thoroughly enjoyed every moment and will cherish the experience forever.

“I enjoyed it,” he summed up.

And despite going out on the losing end, dropping their final win-loss record to 16-8, McKay Jr said he hopes to take the experience into his upcoming collegiate career. He just signed to play for Limestone University, a division II school in South Carolina.

“I spoke to the coaches and I took a visit down there and I liked what I saw. It’s really a family-oriented experience,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest things for me being away from my family.

“The coaches there are really special and I got to meet the team. They’re good people. I think I will enjoy my time there playing basketball and getting a good education.”

McKay Jr, however, is undecided on what he intends to major in.

“I can’t promise myself, but I will continue to work hard,” McKay Jr said. “I will trust God that everything will work out.”

During his visit, McKay Jr said he was advised that he needs to continue to “rebound and make big plays” for the team, or whatever “we need to do to win.”

The 19-year-old McKay expressed his gratitude to his parents, Gregory McKay Sr and Aniska Taylor, who both made the decision to allow him to leave Mt Carmel in 2016 where he played with the Cavaliers, to attend Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida.

After graduating from Piper High, where he played both basketball and volleyball, the 6-foot, 5-inch forward went on to Hosanna College to prepare for college.

He thanked God for giving him the ability to play the game and the Marshall family and his friends for their support during his journey.

“I’m really appreciative and grateful for everything,” McKay Jr said. “My ultimate goal is to play in the NBA, but one of my goals is to also play college basketball. I can almost taste that now.”

Hopefully, that will become a reality when he heads to Limestone University in August. In the meantime, he said he will remain in Florida where he will be working on improving his game.