Blankenship Named 2025 NABC Guardians of the Game Award Winner for Leadership

SHREVEPORT, La. (March 5, 2025) — LSU Shreveport men's basketball head coach Kyle Blankenship has been named the recipient of the 2025 NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Leadership, the National Association of Basketball Coaches announced Tuesday.

The NABC Guardians of the Game Awards are presented annually at the NABC Convention to coaches, administrators, and contributors who exemplify the organization's core values of leadership, service, education, advocacy, and inclusion.

Blankenship, who has led LSUS since 2012, has built the Pilots into one of the premier programs in NAIA basketball. Under his leadership, LSUS has made 12 NAIA Tournament appearances and he has earned Red River Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors seven times.

Last season, Blankenship took on the additional role of head coach for the LSUS women's basketball team following a late coaching change, leading the Pilots to a 30-3 record and a second-round appearance in the NAIA tournament. Meanwhile, his men's team finished 28-5 and reached the NAIA Round of 16.

This season, Blankenship guided the LSUS men's team to an 18-11 overall record, including a 15-9 mark in RRAC play. The Pilots secured the fifth seed in the conference tournament.

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