Mackenzie Joseph’s dream was to play Division I basketball.
That dream came true as the Western Nebraska Community College women’s basketball sophomore is going back to her home state of Louisiana to play for the University of New Orleans for the next two years.
“Honestly this is a dream come true,” Joseph, the 5-foot-11 shooting guard said. “I always wanted to go Division I; that was my goal for a long time. Everyone that helped me get here. I really liked playing basketball when I was younger so being here at this stage now and knowing I am going Division I is a blessing.”
Joseph had plenty of colleges to choose from and it was New Orleans that stood out. New Orleans only got into the picture of potential about a month ago and things just worked out.
“About a month ago we started to be in contact. Coach Isaac gave them my contact and we built a good relationship,” Joseph said. “I was going to go to another school in that same conference, but I felt like they (New Orleans) appreciated more and wanted me more and I built a relationship with them over a quick time. I felt like that was the place I needed to be.”
New Orleans is only four hours from her hometown of Vinton, Louisiana, and she said it will be nice to have family coming to her games.
“All through high school I had my family and my family is probably the biggest crowd at all my games,” Joseph said. “So, just having them back, which I haven’t had that for the past two years, so just having to have them there will be a blessing.”
Joseph had a successful two years at WNCC. Joseph averaged 11.2 points a contest last season while burying 57 3-pointers. The 57 treys last season is seventh all time in a season at WNCC. She is also seventh in career 3-pointers with 98 treys.
“It definitely has been a good thing and I liked playing here for the past two years. The teammates I met and the team this year especially. This is a place I could call home,” Joseph said.
Joseph knows that to be successful, you have to adjust to what you need to do on the court from scoring to rebounding. In fact, she said her basketball IQ improved a ton under WNCC head coach Isaac Lu’s knowledge of the game and she will improve that at New Orleans.”
“Definitely I will need to work on my IQ of basketball,” she said. “I definitely think I have improved here the last two years with Coach Isaac. So, I feel definitely listening to more of my coaches and focusing on the IQ aspect will be important.
“The biggest thing for me is just knowing how I am most productive out on the court. I played a lot of position in high school from 1 to 5 and coming to JUCO where they needed me at a third position, I definitely know where I need to be.”
Joseph’s time at WNCC is nearing an end and she said she will take plenty of memories with her back to Louisiana. At the same time, it will be hard to leave her teammates.
“Definitely I have had a lot of good wins with my teammates this year along with just being in the dorms and having fun with my teammates. It has been a great two years for me,” she said. “Definitely it will be sad. I think a few tears will be shared. I definitely will miss everybody.”
