For the first time ever, a Warhawk is among the ranks of the NBA Developmental League.
Myles McKay, who played at UW-Whitewater for two years under head coach Pat Miller, was picked in the sixth round of the D-League draft by the Austin Toros, an affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs.
McKay, who was drafted on Nov. 3, said tryouts are going very well.
McKay was born and raised in Milwaukee, where he attended Rufus King and Menomonee Falls High Schools. From high school, McKay went to play at UW-Milwaukee, where he recieved very little playing time for two years.
Because McKay wanted significant minutes, he decided to transfer to UW-Whitewater. McKay was a Warhawk for two years and was selected as a 1st-team All-American his senior season. Despite a relatively slow start his junior year, Miller was not surprised at all by the progress McKay made.
“Myles is one of the hardest working guys we’ve ever had at UW-Whitewater,” Miller said. “He works out multiple times a day, takes care of his body and he’s approached his workouts in a way that would allow him to play at a level beyond college, which is exactly what he’s done.”
In McKay’s two years as a Warhawk, the team won a conference title and made two runs in the NCAA Tournament. Miller said they were two of the best years in history of Warhawk basketball.
“UW-Whitewater held some of the best times of my life, both on the court and off the court,” McKay said. “I’m very thankful that I did go to UW-Whitewater because it gave me the opportunity to get out on the court and let my talent be shown.”
After graduating from UW-Whitewater, McKay landed a contract with a professional team in the Czech Republic and had some incredible experiences playing professionally in Europe and China over the next two years.
“I’ve been to countries that people only dream about going to and I’ve visited and had fun there,” McKay said. “The experience that I’ve gotten from traveling around the world and seeing all these different countries, languages, and cultures has been second to none.”
This past year, McKay averaged over 20 points per game while playing in a well-known Chinese league, which made NBA scouts take notice. He got drafted into the D-League, putting him one step closer to his ultimate goal—playing in the NBA.
“Playing in the [NBA] would be a dream come true,” McKay said. “That’s what I work for. If it doesn’t happen, I already feel like I’ve been blessed. But, if it happens, I will count each and every one of my blessings.”
