Road to the 2027 World Cup
Mikhail McLean, an assistant coach with the University of Kentucky, has been named head coach of the Bahamas National Team, a appointment that will see him split his time between the two programs beginning this July.
A native of The Bahamas, McLean has served on the national team's staff since 2021 and expressed deep pride in representing his home country. He outlined an ambitious goal to lead the squad to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and, ultimately, the Olympic Games.
McLean’s coaching résumé includes stints at Lamar University, where he helped the Cardinals achieve their highest win total since the 2011‑12 season, and a playing career with the Houston Cougars that transitioned into a coaching role at the University of Houston.
While taking on the Bahamian role, he will continue his duties with Kentucky, where he has worked under head coach Mark Pope since the coach’s arrival. His appointment follows the departure of Chris DeMarco, who has now taken the helm of the New York Liberty in the WNBA.
The Bahamas will open its World Cup qualifying campaign on July 3 against Jamaica at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau, followed by a match against Puerto Rico on July 6. Both games are part of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers, a tournament that requires two victories to advance to the second round.
Current group standings place Canada at the top with an undefeated 4‑0 record and eight points, while Jamaica sits second at 2‑2 with six points and Puerto Rico is tied with five points. Only the top three teams in the group will progress, making each contest critical for Bahamas' aspirations.
McLean’s vision centers on building a competitive, cohesive unit that can capitalize on home‑court advantage and execute the tactical plans he has refined over years of coaching experience. The upcoming qualifiers represent the first major test of his leadership.