SHAWNEE, OK – The Potawatomi Fire are pleased to announce the signing of Jon Cathey-Macklin for their upcoming 2024 season.

Cathey-Macklin, 32, is a 6-9 forward that brings a wealth of experience. He has played professionally in Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mexico. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cathey-Macklin played college basketball at Tarleton State University in Texas.

While this is his first experience with The Basketball League (TBL), Cathey-Macklin is very familiar with the Fire roster. He was a college teammate of Chuck Guy’s at Tarleton State. He has also played in money tournaments with several other players currently on the Fire roster. Cathey-Macklin also played against Chris Brand several times when both were playing in Mexico.

“Jon Cathey-Macklin has good size and is a versatile athlete,” says Fire head coach Mark Dannhoff, TBL’s 2023 Coach of the Year. “He is a rim protector, good rebounder, and capable scorer that brings a lot of energy and experience. We are very excited to bring him into the fold and look forward to adding him to our rotation of big men.”

“Jon is a good young man that works hard, plays hard, and wants to win,” says Fire general manager David Qualls. “We are confident that Jon will fit with us and the Fire culture, on and off the court. All of our players that know Jon have only had positive things to say about him and we are excited to welcome him to Shawnee and the Potawatomi Fire.”

Cathey-Macklin is a versatile player that can defend inside and along the wing. Throughout his pro career, Cathey-Macklin is averaging just over eight points per game. He is also averaging around 8.5 rebounds, three blocks, and a steal per game as a pro.

Cathey-Macklin is the tenth player to sign with the Fire for the upcoming 2024 TBL season. He joins returners Daylon “Chuck” Guy, Deshawn Munson, Kierre “K.D.” Moore, Terry “T.J.” Maston, Chris Brand, Ruston Hayward, and newcomers Jachai Simmons and Myron McGowan.

The Fire’s season is set to begin March 1, 2024. To purchase season or single game tickets visit potawatomifire.com/tickets.

Be sure to follow the Fire on social media (Instagram, Facebook, X) to stay up to date with all the latest information on the Fire.

 

—–

The Potawatomi Fire are the first professional basketball team owned by a Native American tribe (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) in Oklahoma. The Fire compete in the Central Conference of The Basketball League (TBL), a men’s professional basketball league, now with over 50 teams across the U.S. and Canada. Along with winning the TBL championship in 2023, the Fire organization was named the 2022 winner of the Jim Koch Award as TBL’s Best Ran Business. The dance team of the Fire, the Fire Girls, were named TBL’s 2022 Best Dance Team and Central Conference Best Dance Team in 2023.

The TBL season begins in February and runs through June, concluding with a championship playoff tournament. The players that make up the rosters of the TBL teams are former NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA athletes. Many have played in the NBA’s developmental G-League and/or professionally overseas.