“It is a great honor to be named the head coach for The Bahamas Senior Men’s National Team,” McLean said in a press release. “It is something I’ve dreamed of since becoming a coach. Representing my country is something that I take immense pride in and will never take it for granted. This is particularly
special for me, as I know my parents would be extremely proud.
“I want to thank Chris DeMarco for laying the foundation and putting The Bahamas in the position to compete at the highest level. Our goal remains the same, and that is to get this team to the World Cup and the Olympics. Our first opportunity begins this summer, and I can’t wait to get on the court and compete with our players, coaches, and the support of the greatest little country in the world.”
McLean’s role with the Wildcats will not change. He will miss a few weeks of summer practice but will be with the team full-time as the fall semester begins.
“I want to also thank Coach Pope and our staff for supporting this dream,” McLean said. “Since the moment I became a Wildcat, Coach Pope has pushed us all to chase our goals, and that leadership is incredibly meaningful as I take on this opportunity.”
McLean joined the Cats as an assistant coach in June of 2024.
“Mikhail McLean is one of the bright young coaching stars in basketball right now,” Mark Pope said in a press release. “He is the perfect person to lead this star-studded Bahamas National Team.”
McLean is a native of The Bahamas and has been a part of the coaching staff since 2021.
Team Bahamas made history in 2024 by being one game shy of qualifying for the Olympics after a championship loss to Spain on their home court. Before that, Team Bahamas defeated both the No. 15 and No. 20-ranked teams in the world in Poland and Finland, while also tallying a victory over Lebanon in Olympic qualifying.
In 2023, the Bahamas defeated Argentina, who ranked fourth in the world, twice during the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
Team Bahamas will begin its final window in the first round of competition for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers. The team needs two victories to confirm qualification for the second round.
The opening game will take place on July 3 against Jamaica before taking on Puerto Rico on July 6. Both games will be played at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Team Bahamas is tied with Puerto Rico with a 1-3 record and five points. Canada has already secured one of three available qualifying spots for round two, leading Group B with an undefeated 4-0 record and eight points. Jamaica remains in second position with a 2-2 record and six points.
Only the top three teams in the group will advance to round two of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers.
