Kaukauna basketball legend Jordan McCabe honored, remembers 'really special' time with Ghosts program

Kaukauna basketball legend Jordan McCabe honored, remembers ‘really special’ time with Ghosts program

Posted by Admin January 15, 2025 Basketball

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KAUKAUNA − Jordan McCabe’s legacy as the greatest basketball player in Kaukauna basketball history was celebrated Tuesday night in a ceremony before the program’s Fox Valley Association game against Kimberly.

The Ghosts beat the Papermakers, 82-63, but the focus was on the program’s most iconic player for most of the night.

A group of McCabe’s former teammates were introduced and a highlight video of his career was played. He was also given a framed photo of his game-winning layup against Milwaukee Washington in the 2018 WIAA Division 2 state championship game. His number will also be retired at the start of the 2025-26 season.

“It means a lot and we put a lot of time in,” McCabe said following the ceremony. “At the end of the day, it’s just a kids’ game. But to see the impact that game can have on a community is really special. Starts at the top with leadership and one of the reasons why I got into coaching was (Kaukauna head coach Mike) Schalow. So for him to have built the program the way he did – the right way – I always tell people he’s a hall of fame coach, there’s no debate on that. But he’s an even better person. That’s the biggest thing, is being a part of something that coach built, having success at the end and the culmination of two state championships is really special.”

McCabe, the 2018 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Mr. Basketball, led Kaukauna to WIAA Division 2 state championships in 2016 and 2018. He was a first-team Associated Press all-state pick and the AP’s player of the year as a senior. He played in college at West Virginia before heading to UNLV and is now an assistant coach on the UW-Green Bay men’s basketball team.

McCabe joined Oshkosh North’s Tyrese Haliburton and Whitnall’s Tyler Herro as the most recognizable 2018 alums of what was a fantastic hoops season that ended with McCabe’s D2 title with Kaukauna and Haliburton winning the D1 crown with Oshkosh North. Haliburton is a point guard for the Indiana Pacers and Herro is a shooting guard for the Miami Heat.

“It was an incredible class, and to come out of a state like Wisconsin and not Texas and not California and not Florida,” McCabe said. “It was really cool to be a part of that and that my name is mentioned with those guys who have put together unbelievable professional careers. It’s cool because I know it gives kids in our state some added motivation that it can be done.”