Blankenship Named LABC Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year

SHREVEPORT, La. — Louisiana State University Shreveport head men's basketball coach Kyle Blankenship has been named the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year, recognizing an amazing 2025–26 season for the Pilots.

Blankenship guided LSU Shreveport to a standout 28-6 overall record and a dominant 20-2 mark in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) play. The Pilots advanced to the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Round of 16 and spent the majority of the season ranked in the NAIA Top 25, climbing as high as No. 13. LSUS also made program history with a 12-0 start to conference play, the best in school history.

Under Blankenship's leadership, the Pilots developed into one of the most balanced teams in the nation, averaging 87.9 points per game while shooting an efficient 54.8 percent from the field. Defensively, LSUS limited opponents to 76.3 points per contest and set a program record with 17 blocked shots in a game against UNT Dallas, showcasing its strength on both ends of the floor.

The Pilots' success extended to individual honors as well. Hayden Brittingham was named the LABC Louisiana Small College Player of the Year to go along with his NAIA First Team All-American and RRAC Player of the Year honors, while Khi Wallace earned NAIA Third Team All-American recognition and was named RRAC Newcomer of the Year. Freshman Nico Jones added NAIA Champions of Character Team honors, further reflecting the culture of excellence built under Blankenship's leadership.

The LABC Louisiana Small College Coach of the Year honor marks another milestone for Blankenship and underscores LSU Shreveport's continued rise as one of the premier programs in small college basketball.

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