FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 21, 2012)—After serving one year as Kentucky State University’s Men’s Basketball Interim Head Coach, KSU’s Director of Athletics, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, announced today that Antwain Banks has been named Head Coach of the Thorobreds.
“We are pleased that Mr. Antwain Banks will remain at KSU as our head coach,” announced KSU Director of Athletics, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks. “We are confident that Coach Banks will continue building upon the rich legacy of KSU men’s basketball. Our student-athletes respect him and work hard alongside him to make KSU men’s basketball a conference title contender every year.”
Banks, who led the Thorobreds to a 2011-2012 12-15 overall and 12-12 conference record, served as KSU’s Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach for two seasons (2009, 2010)and was an integral part in achieving the first winning season since the 1998-99 season. During the 2010-2011 season the Thorobreds finished 15-13 overall, 13-11 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
“I would like to thank our Director of Athletics, Dr. Hendricks, and our President, Dr. Sias, for the opportunities they have given me,” said Banks. “They gave me the chance to serve as interim head coach during the 2011-12 season, and I am humbled and truly blessed to have the interim tag removed.”
Prior to arriving at Kentucky State, Banks spent seven years as a member of the Indiana Southeast Grenadier basketball program (two as a player and five as a coach). He helped IUSE reach 166 victories (71.2 win percentage) and five appearances at the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship in Point Lookout, Missouri. He also helped lead the Grenadiers to the KIAC tournament championship contest in six out of seven years. Banks coached four NAIA All-American Honorable Mention athletes and eight KIAC All-Conference players during his five years with the Grenadiers.
“I am very appreciative that the University trusts my ability to lead these young men on and off the court,” Banks said. “I look forward to building an exciting team that will play the game the right way and with a ton of passion.”
As a player, Banks guided IU Southeast to back-to-back conference titles (first time in school history). Banks was the starting point guard and served as a co-captain on the Grenadiers 2002-2003 squad. Under his leadership, the team tied a school record for wins (21) and went to the national tournament for the first time in six years.
Banks has always taken an active role in teaching the game of basketball to youth. In the past years, Banks has worked summer basketball camps at Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Taylor, Indiana University Southeast and Allan Houston’s annual Father & Son Basketball Camp “Father knows Best”. He has also worked the Indiana University Basketball Camp.
Banks is 1999 graduate of John Adams High School in South Bend, IN. He was Second Team All-Conference, along with being selected to the Sunburst All-Star Game his senior year. Banks helped lead the Eagles to an IHSAA Sectional Championship during the 1997-98 seasons.
After high school, Banks attended Ancilla Junior College where he started as point guard for two years. At Ancilla, Banks helped his team to the first-ever Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) conference tournament appearance in school history.
“Hard work always pays off,” Banks affirmed. “I work hard to be the best coach I can be, and I expect the same from my student-athletes. The 2012-2013 season will be here before we know and I’m excited to be here as the head coach.”
Banks received his bachelor’s degree from IU Southeast in 2004 and, in the fall, will begin to pursue a master of science in recreation and sports administration, with a concentration in athletic administration and coaching, from Western Kentucky University. Banks resides in Frankfort, Ky.