About Club – Derby City Distillers

ABOUT US

The Derby City Distillers was founded in 2022, with their inaugural season beginning in 2023. The name was created as a way to pay homage to the state of Kentucky, tying in its love of Bourbon and horse racing. Kentucky is home to more than 60 bourbon distilleries throughout the state, making the name a significant part of our Derby City history.

To say that the Kentucky Derby is the biggest event of the year in Louisville would be an understatement, and the nickname of “Derby City” gives you an idea of how the locals go crazy for the races.

Our Personnel

Akoy Agau: Team Market Owner

Akoy Agau is a native of Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended high school, before embarking on his collegiate career. Currently, Akoy is a varsity assistant men’s coach at Kentucky Country Day high school. Before settling down in Louisville, Akoy played professionally overseas in Colombia and Mexico, while also having a short stint playing in Spain. During the pandemic, Akoy was fortunate to play for his South Sudan National team, where he was originally born. South Sudan played for their first time for a berth, to compete in the 2024 Olympics as the world’s newest country in 2011. After graduating high school Akoy took a scholarship to play for the University of Louisville, staying two years, before transferring to Georgetown, where he would later graduate from. Akoy has recently moved back to Louisville after playing professionally, along with playing in The Basketball League (TBL) Akoy has been working on being involved in the Louisville community and giving back. He recently chaired a successful 2022 campaign for March of Dimes, followed by being voted in as a board member for the I Would Rather Be Reading Foundation. Being in the community is a huge part of Akoy’s life and mission, and that is why bringing a TBL team to Louisville is so important to him. It is the privilege to provide opportunities for young men in their basketball journey, but also through getting players involved and engaged in the Louisville community. TBL preaches community engagement and the enhancement of others, and that is exactly what our team the Derby City Distillers is going to do!!

Tim Gray: Head Coach

Coach Tim Gray is in his 7th season as Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach for Spalding University, which is a division 3 school located in Louisville, KY. Coach Gray has been around the game a long time and has had the opportunity to work with some great coaches. Such as Rick Pitino working on the University of Louisville men’s basketball staff as a program assistant from 2012 to 2014. During that time the Cardinals won the 2013 NCAA National Championship and 2 conference championships. His primary duties included assisting in opponent scouting through extensive video breakdowns, game preparation and assisting in on-campus recruiting efforts.

Prior to joining the Cardinals’ staff, he served as an assistant basketball coach for four years at his alma mater Spalding University in Louisville under his father, head coach Kevin Gray. As associate head coach at Spalding, Gray oversees player individual development, academic development, practice planning, team video sessions, scouting reports, team travel and developed the Golden Eagles’ weight lifting program.

After his graduation from Holy Cross High School in Louisville, KY. Coach Gray played for his father at Spalding (1999-2003), where he earned 2-time NAIA Division-I All-America and Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors his final two seasons there. He earned a B.S. in business administration from Spalding in 2004. When he finished his basketball career at Spalding. He went on to play four years of professional basketball in Mexico, England, Germany and Portugal from 2004 to 2008.

Bio-Coach Tim Gray is in his 7th season as Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach for Spalding University, which is a division 3 school located in Louisville, KY. Coach Gray has been around the game a long time and has had the opportunity to work with some great coaches. Such as Rick Pitino working on the University of Louisville men’s basketball staff as a program assistant from 2012 to 2014. During that time the Cardinals won the 2013 NCAA National Championship and 2 conference championships. His primary duties included assisting in opponent scouting through extensive video breakdowns, game preparation and assisting in on-campus recruiting efforts.

Miquel Coleman: Assistant Coach

Coach Miquel A. Coleman is a native of Louisville, KY who has a passion not only for basketball, but for developing young men both on and off the court. He was an outstanding player at The Louisville Central High School where he acquired awards such as: LIT All Tournament Teams, All District, 2 time All Region and Honorable Mention All-State.

His College Career started at Columbia College in Missouri, where he obtained awards such as: Academic All-Conference and First Team All-Conference. He transferred to IUS for his Sr. Year to be closer to home and his son. Having a passion for kids, he completed his undergraduate degree at IUS and obtained his Master’s Degree in Education at Spalding advancing his career in Education where he has been a teacher for 14 years with the Jefferson County Public School system.

He stared his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater Central High School where he aided with the success of leading the team to the 2009 Kentucky State High School Championship game. He moved forward with his first Head Coaching job at The Academy of Shawnee High School where his initial goal was to change the culture of the basketball program. In his first year he led the program to its first double digit winning season in 9 years. Coach Coleman also lead Shawnee High School to the LIT (Louisville Invitational Tournament) for the first time in 25 years. Shawnee went on to win the 6th Regional All “A” Championship and qualified for the All “A” State tournament for the first time in 9 years.

Coach Coleman went on to land Head Coaching jobs at Jeffersontown High School and Seneca High School where he also led those teams to Regional Tournaments, LIT Tournament, LIT Championship Game, and District Tournaments. Every program that Coach Coleman has been a part has been shifted towards a direction of success and been successful. He is currently the Head Basketball Coach at duPont Manual High School. Within his first 3 years, Manual has accomplished: 2 District Championships, All Regional Runner Up, an Invitation to The King of Bluegrass where they were the only Louisville Team to win the first round. He was also voted “7th Region Church of the Year”

With over 19 years of coaching experience, Coach Coleman is excited about the opportunity at the next level and looking forward to expanding his knowledge as well and sharing his talents alongside an experienced coaching staff.

Michael Baffour: Assistant Coach

Michael currently holds roles as both the Head Basketball coach and Teacher at North Hardin High School.

Through both his Head Coaching role and his training company, All In, his ambitions are clear; develop successful college and professional bound basketball players, create an impactful brand whos benefits resonate with college and professional coaches, and of course, win championships!

Michael was a part of the 2013 National Championship team with our hometown University of Louisville Cardinals, where he earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees, as well as a minor in Communication.