Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Hustle. Ricky Blanton, former Tiger forward from 1984-89 known for his scrappy play, was inducted into the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday by the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches. “I’d like to thank the LABC for the honor to be among this prestigious group of people,” Blanton said. “It’s pretty surreal to think where I started and where I’m standing now.”Blanton is best known for shouldering a heavy load in 1986 and aiding LSU to an improbable Final Four run as a No. 11 seed. Blanton and company were the lowest seed to ever reach the Final Four and have since been tied by George Mason’s Final Four run as a No. 11 seed in 2006. It almost didn’t happen. Blanton came to LSU as an unheralded recruit from Miami. Legendary former LSU coach Dale Brown loved Blanton’s work ethic. His freshman season was a whirlwind. Playing schools like North Carolina and Syracuse early in the season and toiling through a tough Southeastern Conference slate would be enough to overwhelm many college players, let alone a freshman. The Tigers earned a trip to the NCAA tournament nonetheless, squaring off against Navy in the first round. LSU was a No. 4 seed, Navy a No. 13 seed. Navy had something LSU didn’t: David Robinson. Robinson, a two-time All-American at Navy and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, torched the Tigers for 18 points, 18 rebounds and eight blocks en route to a 78-55 first-round upset. “I wasn’t so sure who that was, but after 40 minutes of basketball, we were well aware,” Blanton said. “We were sent home rather quickly.”Maryland and Miami of Ohio played following LSU’s loss. Blanton stole out of the locker room to catch a glimpse while Brown went through postgame interviews. The late Len Bias played for Maryland, and former NBA star Ron Harper suited up for Miami of Ohio. Seeing them play made Blanton feel underqualified to play at that level. “I watched those guys catch alley oops and dunk and everything — I was just like, ‘Wow,'” Blanton said. “We got on the plane, and I was scratching my head, wondering if I could play at this level. It was a little bit much.”But Blanton persevered. He consulted his parents, who told him to give it a try for one more season. It worked out well. Blanton enjoyed a stellar career in purple and gold, averaging 20.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game his senior season. Blanton was named to LSU All-Century team last season as the program celebrated its 100-year anniversary. He is perhaps most known for his effort in the 1986 NCAA Tournament. With LSU down three centers, the 6-foot-7 Blanton was forced into the starting center role. He didn’t miss a beat. “Without the first shock of it, without questioning, he assumed something that was almost impossible,” Brown said. “He led that team to a Final Four.”Brown, who introduced Blanton at the ceremony, walked up to the stage with Blanton’s 3-year-old son Gavin in tow. “If you think [LSU coach] Trent Johnson can’t recruit, I’ll tell you what he’s already done,” Brown said with a laugh. “This is Ricky Blanton’s son, and Trent has offered him a scholarship already.” Laughs aside, Brown had some sparkling words for Blanton. “If anybody is the epitome of what a college player should be, he is,” Brown said. “He’s the beacon light for young players.”The banquet was not limited to Blanton’s induction. Other LSU ties included former LSU players Tasmin Mitchell and and Marcus Thornton receiving awards. Thornton, who just finished his rookie season with the New Orleans Hornets, garnered the Professional Player of the Year award. Mitchell, who will attempt to enter the professional ranks next season, won Major College Player of the Year. Blanton, who only played two games in an NBA uniform, had encouraging words for Mitchell and his future. “I was telling Tasmin if it’s not in the NBA, there’s a way to make a living out of this game,” Blanton said. “I lived in three different countries and had a great experience. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
__Contact Chris Branch at [email protected]