Makayla Epps has a gift for many things.
She’s a former University of Kentucky star whose name is all over the record books. She’s known for leading Marion County to an undefeated Sweet 16 championship and earning the 2013 Miss Kentucky Basketball title.
That basketball gift has led her into coaching. She’s now back at Marion County as a rookie head coach.
Her lesser-publicized gift —the gift of gab — led her down a new road this March as part of the KHSAA Sweet 16 radio network team, which she joined last week at the girls’ state tournament.
Epps got the invite to join the radio broadcast in January. She was sitting courtside with her signature head band from her playing days tucked under her radio headset along press row all week.
“I was all for it, didn’t really know what to expect,” she said last week in between games at Rupp Arena.
Epps shows up nine times in the Girls’ Sweet 16 record books, most notably as third all-time in career points (213) and most career field goal attempts (168). Her illustrious playing career translates to the headset nicely.
“I love to talk basketball with anybody,” Epps said. “Basketball is my passion. It’s easy for me to just formalize myself with the court, watching the game, seeing what’s going on, seeing the key players.”
She believes her accent might be her biggest roadblock to a big broadcasting career. “I try to tell people to excuse me before I get on there, because I might not pronounce something (correctly).”
The former state champion and star guard liked what she saw from the teams and players at the girls’ Sweet 16 last week.
“It’s just different not being in the spotlight,” Epps said. “Playing a backseat role to a lot of these new up-and-coming young ladies, they’re doing a phenomenal job. Kentucky’s in great, great hands.”
Much like she followed her famous father, Anthony Epps, to win a title with Marion County and star at UK, she’s now picked up coaching, too.
In her first season as a head coach, Epps’ Knights finished with an 11-15 record, ending their season to eventual state semifinalist Taylor County in the district tournament. She hopes to see the program continue to grow.
“I’m a competitor and a winner, and right now Marion County is in the rebuilding process,” she said. “We’re gonna learn. We’re gonna build. We’re gonna grow, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
