LSU Gold

Ricky Blanton Season 2023-24

LSU
Ricky Blanton
Title
Assistant Coach
Hometown
LSU
Alma Mater
1992

ALL-CENTURY TEAM MEMBER

After converting from guard to center, Ricky Blanton became one of the key performers in LSU’s 1986 Final Four run as a sophomore. Blanton was named to the 1986 NCAA Southeast Regional All-Tournament team after averaging nine points and nine rebounds in five NCAA Tournament games.  As a sophomore, the Miami native scored in double figures 11 times, averaged five rebounds per game and led the team in field goal percentage (94-159, .591).

After missing the 1986-87 season with a knee injury, Blanton came back with a vengeance for his junior campaign in 1987-88 where he started all 30 games and led LSU in scoring (17.0 ppg) and rebounding (8.8 rpg).  Blanton, who served as team captain, also scored in double figures 25 times, including a season high 31 points against Southern. He was named to the 1988 Coaches’ All-SEC team, the AP All-SEC team and the SEC All-Tournament team.

As a senior in 1988-89, Blanton again served as team captain and led the Tigers to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. In two of the most memorable games in LSU history, Blanton played the role of hero scoring the game-winning layup to defeat #2 Georgetown in New Orleans and hitting a three-pointer with three seconds left to upset nationally ranked UNLV. Blanton started all 32 games and averaged 20.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game and was named to the 1989 Coaches’ All-SEC team and the AP All-SEC team.

Blanton currently sits at 15th all-time in LSU history in scoring with 1,501 points and 14th in rebounding with 766. He is also ninth all-time in assists with 314. He was drafted in the second round of the 1989 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns.