For Andrew McKenna, the journey back to Brock feels like unfinished business. The Kingston native has taken a unique path, shining as an OUA All-Rookie, testing himself below the border in the NCAA, and ultimately choosing to come back to a program, and a coach, who believed in him from the start.
Back home in St. Catherines, McKenna feels more prepared than ever. He’s found coaches who match his values, teammates chasing the same goals, and a program he believes can compete on the national stage.
True Evolution Hoops caught up with Andrew McKenna to talk about his recruitment to Brock, getting shots up in the cold winter, and the Badgers’ aspirations for the 2025–26 season.
Here’s what he had to say.
“When I got introduced to Brock, I was trying out for (U17) Team Ontario, and one of the coaches at the time, coach Brandon (Edwards), introduced me to Willy (Manigat).”
Once he met Manigat, the decision on where to play postsecondary ball became clear.
“My recruiting with Willy, it went really smoothly, and it was kind of a no-brainer option. I feel like what I want with my goals, me and Willy are aligned. We have the same type of values.”
But what sealed the deal wasn’t about basketball, it was the relationship behind it.
“A thing that kind of stuck out to me most in my recruiting was how Willy cares for me as a person first, rather than just as a basketball player. Having that relationship with him was very important for me.”
And that emphasis on relationships extended beyond coaching. When the conversation moved to players he admired growing up, McKenna pointed to one name immediately..
“Connor Vreeken. He played at Carleton, he played in the CEBL last year and now he’s in the 3X3 for team Canada.” reflected McKenna.
The connection wasn’t just professional, it was personal.
“He’s also from Kingston too, and the funny thing is, his dad was my teacher at elementary school, so that’s how I kind of got introduced to Connor and where I found the love of the game.”
Training alongside him, McKenna started absorbing Vreeken’s playstyle.
“Working out with him, I tried to model what he was doing on the court.”
That influence helped shape his individual game, but McKenna’s focus isn’t just on personal growth, it’s on what this Brock Badger’s group can achieve together.
“As a team I think everyone’s going into the season looking to win a national championship, and I think this year we’ve talked about it a lot more, just because it’s a realistic thing to pursue.” said McKenna.
The championship focus isn’t just talk, it’s backed by real commitment.
“Everyone on the team is super committed, a lot of the guys sacrifice time with family to stay up here in the summer. So that’s our main goal as a team, is just to win.”
For McKenna, that goal is personal too.
“That aligns with me because I hate losing, I hate losing more than I like winning.”
That passion is a major part of who he is as a player, and ties in perfectly with the mindset Coach Willy Manigat emphasizes every day.
“Coach Willy, we talk a lot about having real confidence and confidence comes from your preparation. Just being prepared, and being almost overly prepared is a big thing that I really try to have in my life.”
For him, confidence isn’t something you feel, it’s something you earn.
“Being prepared is where confidence comes from, trusting your training, and the work that you put in.”
With that foundation of preparation, McKenna is clear about where he’s improved the most over the years.
“Attacking my defender one on one.” stated McKenna.
He’s refined his approach, learning how to read defenders and make decisive moves to get to the basket.
“I feel like I can make an actual real move to get by someone now. I’m understanding the angles better.”
Those changes come from correcting past mistakes.
“I used to find myself in lapses where I wasn’t in a straight line going to the basket. But I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better at just being able to make a real move and get by my defender.”
That improvement took time, and so did his journey into the sport. In the early years, basketball wasn’t even the game he found himself playing.
“I was always a hockey player growing up until grade 8, and then I switched over (to basketball) because of Connor Vreeken’s dad.”
The transition wasn’t instant, it started with early-morning dedication.
“I just remember growing up in Canada, it’s always cold, going to my elementary school early to get shots up, and then one day, Connor’s dad saw me out in the playground, just shooting around, my hands frozen off, and then we had this thing where I was able to go into the gym early in the morning.” recalled McKenna.
Those early opportunities fueled his newfound passion.
“Being able to get early access to a gym in the morning was the best thing ever. It just made me want to put more work in. From there it was uphill.”
As McKenna settles into the season, it’s clear that his combination of experience and basketball IQ will be a major asset for the 7-2 Brock Badgers as the season goes on.
He is currently averaging 12.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists over 25.6 minutes per game in nine appearances, starting in six of them. He’s also hit a season-high of 19 points, twice, against Toronto and Guelph, showcasing his ability to take over offensively.
With his growth on the court and the lessons he’s carried from mentors, Andrew McKenna is poised to make a big impact this season. Whether it’s leading Brock offensively, attacking defenders one-on-one, utilizing his pure jumpshot, or setting the tone with his preparation, he’s a player who influences the game in a variety of ways.
As the Badgers chase their national championship aspirations, McKenna’s skillset and determination make him a cornerstone of the team, and a player to watch throughout the 2025–26 OUA campaign.
