Brooks and Blankenship Honored as LABC Small College Coach and Player of the Year

Shreveport, Louisiana--- The Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches announced on April 18th the selection of their annual awards and the Purple and Gold took the win once again. It is of no surprise that head coach Kyle Blankenship was named Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year and Jalen Brooks found himself crowned with the title of Louisiana Small College Player of the Year for 2023 adding to the long list of well-deserved accolades each has compiled. The LABC Small College Player of the Year and Coach of the Year are selected annually by men's college basketball coaches across the state of Louisiana.

Blankenship and the Pilots ended another historic season for LSUS with a record of 26-8 and advancing to the NAIA National Tournament, having a Round of 16 Appearance. The Pilots collected their third straight RRAC Regular Season Championship, their ninth in the history of the program, and hold the 2nd longest active streak in the NAIA with 19 consecutive visits to the National Tournament, 11 of which Blankenship piloted. Blankenship collects the title of LABC Small College Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his tenure with the Pilots. He holds an overall record of 256-88 leaving him knocking at the door as one of the All-Time Winningest Active Coaches in the NAIA.

Blankenship has also received nods in the 2022-2023 season as the RRAC Coach of the Year as well as the recipient of the Charles A. Krigel Sportsmanship Award.

Brooks ended an outstanding season for the Pilots having received myriad awards and placements. He led the Pilots statistically with 719 points, 357 rebounds, 54 steals, 37 blocks, and three other categories. He ranked second nationally with 11.2 rebounds per game and eight for points per game with 22.5. He finished his season leading the country with 118 offensive rebounds as well as third in free throws made and ninth overall in total field goals made.

Among his title case Brooks was named as an NAIA First Team All-American, the Red River Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year as well as being a First Team All-Conference Selection. He garnered eight of sixteen conference weekly awards and was a semifinalist for the Bevo Francis award.

Blankenship Brooks will be honored at the LABC's 49th Annual Awards Banquet May 6th in Baton Rouge.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information and updates on LSUS Athletics please visit lsusathletics.com, 'like' us on Facebook at LSU Shreveport Athletics or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @lsus_athletics and @lsusathletics.