Cameron University Men's Basketball

Nathan Kennedy enters his first season as the Head Coach of Cameron University Men’s Basketball, bringing 20 years of NCAA Division II experience as both a player and assistant coach. Throughout his career, Kennedy has built a reputation for rebuilding and elevating Division II programs. Over 15 seasons as an assistant, his teams have qualified for five NCAA regional tournaments and made 13 conference tournament appearances. Most recently, Kennedy played a key role in revitalizing the Arkansas Tech University program from 2020-25. The 2023–24 season was a standout, as ATU captured both the Great American Conference (GAC) regular season and tournament titles, earning a berth in the NCAA Central Regional. The team faced eventual national champion Minnesota State in the first round. That season, Kennedy helped develop GAC Player of the Year Taelon Peter, who led the conference in scoring. Under his guidance, five Wonder Boys earned All-Conference honors, including Josh Mitchell (Defensive POY) and Cejay Mann (Freshman of the Year, 2021). ATU began the 2024–25 season ranked No. 24 in the NABC Coaches’ Poll. From 2017 to 2020, Kennedy served as an assistant at Northeastern State University in the MIAA. The Riverhawks were ranked No. 24 nationally in December 2019 and tied for fifth in the conference in 2020. Key players under his guidance included Caleb Smith and Kendrick Thompson (Second Team All-MIAA), and Josh Ihek (All-Defensive Team). Thompson went on to play professionally in multiple countries including Estonia, Georgia, and Greece. Prior to that, Kennedy spent three seasons at the University of Montevallo (2014–2017), where the Falcons won three consecutive Peach Belt West Division titles and the 2015 PBC Tournament Championship. The 2014–15 squad reached the NCAA Southeast Regional final, led by two-time All-American Troran Brown. Under Kennedy's development, Brown improved significantly, boosting his 3-point percentage from 31% to 40%. Brown and several other Montevallo standouts—including Terrell Lipkins and Javonte Douglas—went on to successful professional careers. Kennedy also made a strong impact in one season at the University of West Alabama (2013–14), helping the program to its first NCAA South Regional appearance in over 30 years. The Tigers finished second in the Gulf South Conference and upset two NCAA D1 opponents Abilene Christian University and The Citadel in the Battle for Atlantis. Desmond Raymond earned First Team All-GSC honors after increasing his scoring average by 11 points per game under Kennedy’s mentorship. Earlier in his career, Kennedy held assistant positions at Southwest Baptist University (2012–13) and the University of Charleston (2010–12). At Charleston, the Golden Eagles finished second in the WVIAC and qualified for the NCAA Atlantic Regional. PJ Reyes was named Conference Player of the Year and later played professionally in Spain and Mexico. As a player, Kennedy competed at West Liberty University under Jim Crutchfield, contributing to a 2006–07 NCAA Tournament berth and the nation’s top scoring offense. He later transferred to Salem University, where he led the team in assists and served as captain. A native of Hurricane, West Virginia, Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Salem University and a Master of Arts in Physical Education from the University of West Alabama. He and his wife Nikki have two daughters, Nova and Nikayla.

Jaedon Willis enters his first season as a graduate assistant for the Aggie Basketball program in the 2025-26 season.The Baltimore, Maryland native joins the Aggies after a successful college and professional career. Willis started his playing career at Hartford Community College, where he was first team All-Conference. After a successful freshman season, Willis transfered to Limestone University, where he averaged 12 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds. Willis played his Junior season at Chowan University, averaging 17 PPG and earning a Third Team All-Conference Carolinas selection. Willis' final two seasons came at Notre Dame College. There, he posted over 20 PPG leading to two First Team All-MEAC selections. After scoring 2,000 points in his collegiate career, Willis earned an opportunity to play professionally in Denmark. Playing for the Svendborg Rabbits in the top division in Denmark, in the European North basketball league and the Denmark-BasketLiagen, Willis averaged over 15 ppg during the 2023-24 season. Willis has helped run McDonogh School basketball camp and assisted camps with The Kingdom training for the past four summers. Willis graduated from Notre Dame College and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management.  

Daelyn Franklin enters his first season as a graduate assistant for the Aggie Basketball program in the 2025-26 season. The Louisville, Kentucky native joined Cameron after assisting Rockford University during the 2024-25 season. Franklin competed at the collegiate level at Kishwaukee College and averaged 13 PPG during his sophomore season. After two successful years, Franklin transferred to Rockford University where he helped lead the Regents to the 2021 NACC South Division conference championship. After his playing career, Franklin jumped straight into assisting at the collegiate level upon graduation at Rockford College. In the summers, Franklin has assisted at camps with likes of NBA stars Rajon Rondo, Terry Rozier, and D’Angelo Russell. Franklin has also assisted with camps at Bellarmine University during his summers. Franklin graduated from Rockford University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.