Antwain Banks begins his fourth full year as the Head Coach of the Kentucky State University men’s basketball team.
In his time as the head coach at Kentucky State Banks has amassed an overall record of 42-41.
Banks joined Kentucky State as an assistant coach prior to the 2009-10 season. After serving two years as an assistant coach and one year as interim head coach during the 2011-12 season, KSU's Director of Athletics, Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, named Banks head coach of the Thorobreds for the 2012-13 season.
In 2013-14 Kentucky State finished 15-14 overall and 10-7 in SIAC action. The Thorobreds entered the SIAC Championship Tournament as the three seed out of the SIAC West Division. KSU had a great run, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament by defeating #6E Albany State and #2E Claflin before falling to eventual champion, #1W Tuskegee. With another season over .500 the Thorobreds posted their first back-to-back winning seasons since the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
During the 2012-13 season, Banks led the Thorobreds to a 15-12 overall and 11-6 SIAC record. KSU finished the season third in the SIAC West Division standings. The Thorobreds defeated Fort Valley State, 60-57, in the SIAC Championship Tournament before being ousted by host Morehouse College, 66-65.
In his lone season as the Interim Head Coach, Banks led the 2011-12 Thorobreds to a 12-15 overall and 12-12 conference record.
Banks served as KSU's Assistant Men's Basketball Coach for two seasons (2009-10 & 2010-11) and was an integral part in achieving the first winning season since the 1998-99 season. During the 2010-11 season the Thorobreds finished 15-13 overall, 13-11 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
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.
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 an active member of NABC and the SIAC men’s basketball vice committee chairperson.
Banks is a 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 2014-2015 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, last fall he started to pursue a master of science in recreation and sports administration, with a concentration in athletic administration and coaching, from Western Kentucky University.
Here is what some coaches around the country are saying about Coach Banks:
“Coach Banks is highly organized, personable and motivated. He has always made it his priority to teach his young men how to be successful in life, which ultimately transcends the game of basketball. His sincere passion and enthusiasm to help student-athletes succeed sets him apart and above others in the coaching profession.” – Joe Glover, IU Southeast Athletic Director
“Antwain is one of the best young coaches in the country. His passion and enthusiasm for the game of basketball is infectious and he is one of the few coaches who genuinely cares about the student-athletes on and off the court. He is a huge asset to the Kentucky State athletic department and the community of Frankfort as well. – Darryl LaBarrie, Associate Head Coach at Georgia State University.
“Antwain Banks is a tremendous coach who has a passion for coaching and competition. His ability to relate to his players will lead to great success at Kentucky State University. Coach Banks is not only a great coach but also a great mentor. His knowledge of the game, ability to motivate players, and his determination to recruit high profile players will allow Kentucky State to pursue championships.” - Walt Corbean, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Boston University
“I have had the opportunity to see Antwain at work in our basketball camp for several years, and I know him well. In my opinion, Mr. Banks is one of the bright young coaches in our game, and I welcome the chance to support him. The young men of KSU will be mentored in the game of basketball at a very high level. Expectations will be high; no one will work harder than Coach Banks to give them a chance to be successful in the game, and in the development of their life skills. I feel privileged to call Antwain a friend and colleague. I am excited to watch his teams play.” - Paul Patterson, Former Head Basketball Coach at Taylor University, NAIA Hall of Famer.
