Southern Miss Adds Kailex Stephens to Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff
The University of Southern Mississippi has announced the addition of Kailex Stephens to its men’s basketball coaching staff for the 2026-27 season. Stephens, who takes on the assistant coach role, expressed enthusiasm about joining the program.
“I’m thrilled to join the staff at Southern Miss,” Stephens said. “There’s a special energy here in Hattiesburg, and I look forward to adding to that. I can’t wait to get to work and help this program win at the highest level,” he added.
Last season, Stephens served as an assistant at Central Methodist University, where he contributed to a 19-11 record and a semifinal appearance in the Heart of America Conference Tournament. He helped develop players who averaged over 17 points per game, as well as another who averaged more than 15 points. The team averaged 79.4 points and 35.8 rebounds per game.
Head coach Jay Ladner praised Stephens’ addition, saying, “Kailex is an exceptional addition to our staff. Our program has gained a national reputation for developing players holistically. His experience, knowledge, and ability to develop players make him an incredible asset.”
Stephens has a diverse playing background, including professional experience in Macedonia. He played college basketball at Indiana State, Tallahassee Community College, and Francis Marion University. He earned Peach Belt Conference Co-Freshman of the Year honors as a freshman in 2018-19, averaging 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
He also spent the 2019-20 season at Tallahassee Community College, earning Second Team All-Panhandle Conference honors and selection to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team. His final college season was at Indiana State, where he appeared in 55 games over two years, posting his best season in 2021-22 with averages of 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, shooting 49.3% from the field.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 Southern Miss men’s basketball season are now available for purchase and renewal. Fans can visit smttt.info/MBB26Tix for more information. Follow @SouthernMissMBB on social media for updates on the team.
Source: Original Article
