ABOUT ME.
Willis Mackey Jr. is a professional athlete, philanthropist, and creator. He is a history-maker in his own right with a number of firsts to his name. He is the first Bahamian to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Christchurch School, Virginia for his athletic contributions, the first Bahamian to have graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio – earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Forensic Accounting – and the first Bahamian to play for all three of his professional basketball clubs in Europe, thus far. Long before he began making his international mark, his multiple talents and leadership skills were being honed in the second city of The Bahamas’ archipelago.
Willis Jr. was born on May 5th, 1996 in Freeport, Grand Bahama to Willis Mackey Sr. and Alice Mackey. The last of three children and the only son, he values his strong familial bond and has been blessed to have the unwavering love and support of his parents, older sisters – Willissa and Tavanaé – and very large extended family.
An active little boy with keen athletic competencies, Willis Jr. spent
much time outside bicycling around the block, racing on track teams, playing basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball, and enjoying street games with the neighborhood kids. While indoors, he was falling in love with music. He began playing the drums when he was five years old and within four short years, he was a self-taught pianist who was making melodious sounds in his local church and on the National Arts Festival platforms with his Bahamian school peers who he also played the steelpan with. As he grew, he learned how to play the trumpet and contributed to the brass section of Junkanoo – a cultural staple of rhythmic sounds and captivating sights in The Bahamas.
Willis Jr. is a born leader. His first notable leadership position was when he served as deputy head boy of Walter Parker Primary School during his formative elementary school years. He was then appointed to junior prefect during his junior year at Bishop Michael Eldon School. This was a pivotal time in Willis’ life. At the conclusion of this school year, he left the familiarity of his home in Freeport and relocated to the United States of America to attend Christchurch thhhh
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Willis Jr. is a relentless dreamer who believes anything is possible with hard work. His firm commitment to the youth of The Bahamas spurred the inception of his foundation - the Willis Mackey Jr. Foundation - which will provide athletic, educational and social opportunites to Bahamian youth with the goal of promoting their personal development. As a creator, he uses his passion for photography and videography to produce his YouTube channel - Willis Mackey Jr. - to share inspiration and information with aspiring professional basketball players from all corners of the world.
School, a boarding school in Christchurch, Virginia. While there, he was awarded with student leadership positions like student admissions ambassador, residence hall leader, manager of the girls’ volleyball team, as well as team captain for the baseball and basketball teams. The officials of the University of Northwestern Ohio also saw him as an upstanding role model and soon, he was captain of the men’s basketball team, admissions student ambassador, and Racers leader.
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Wherever his career goals may take him, Willis Jr. will forever be guided by integrity, equity, and service.