Southern University At New Orleans Men's Basketball
The History of Southern University at New Orleans Men's Basketball
Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) was founded in 1956 as an extension of Southern University, one of the largest historically Black universities in the United States. SUNO established its men's basketball program in 1973, and the team quickly made a name for itself in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) ranks.
Throughout the 1970s and '80s, SUNO consistently ranked among the top NAIA teams in the country. The team's best season came in 1994-95, when the Knights finished with a 30-8 record and advanced to the NAIA national championship game. However, in 2011, the school decided to discontinue the basketball program due to budget constraints.
But after a six-year hiatus, SUNO brought back its men's basketball program in 2017, and the team has been on the rise ever since.
Recent Success
In just its second season back, SUNO posted a 17-13 record, earning a spot in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) tournament. The following year, the Knights improved to 22-9, finished second in the GCAC regular season standings, and advanced to the championship game of the conference tournament.
The 2019-20 season was scheduled to be SUNO's best yet, but the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short just as the Knights were hitting their stride. Before the shutdown, SUNO had compiled a 23-8 record and was poised to make waves in the NAIA national tournament.
Despite the disappointment of last season, SUNO head coach, Kevin Clark, and his staff have been hard at work building a strong foundation for the future. The team has recruited a diverse and talented group of players, including several international student-athletes, and looks poised to compete at a high level for years to come.
Current Roster and Coaching Staff
The SUNO men's basketball team is led by head coach, Kevin Clark. Clark is a native of New Orleans and played collegiately at Dillard University, another local HBCU. He has over a decade of coaching experience at various levels, including stints as an assistant at Tulane and Loyola (Chicago).
Clark brings a high-energy, up-tempo style of play to SUNO, and the team reflects his personality on the court. The Knights play fast and aggressive, attacking the basket and forcing turnovers on defense.
The SUNO roster features a mix of local and international talent. Standouts include guards Jairus Stevens and Ledarius Augustine, as well as forward Joseph Thompson. The team also boasts a trio of talented international players: forward Udoka Agba, guard Andrei Raducanu, and center Luka Marosevic.
The Future of SUNO Men's Basketball
The future looks bright for SUNO men's basketball. The team has made significant strides in just a few short years, and the coaching staff is committed to building a program that can compete at the highest levels of college basketball.
SUNO's location in New Orleans, one of the most vibrant and culturally rich cities in the world, is a major selling point for recruits. The university has a strong tradition of producing successful student-athletes, and the basketball program is quickly becoming a cornerstone of that legacy.
As the Knights continue to develop and grow, the college basketball world will undoubtedly take notice.