University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Men's Basketball Adds Kailex Stephens to 2026-27 Staff
8/12/2026 9:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HATTIESBURG -- Southern Miss men's basketball finalized its coaching staff for the 2026-27 season after bringing on assistant coach Kailex Stephens.Â
"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."
Stephens spent last season at Central Methodist, helping the Eagles to a 19-11 mark. That included a run to the semifinals of the Heart of America Conference Tournament. He helped tutor a pair of Eagles who averaged 17-plus points per game and another who averaged 15-plus. Central Methodist averaged 79.4 points per game as a team and averaged 35.8 rebounds per game.Â
"Kailex is an exceptional addition to our staff," said head basketball coach Jay Ladner. "Our program has gained a national reputation and respect for increasing a player's value for whatever their next step in their career is.  We take great pride in developing young men holistically. We emphasize and demand individual skill development, which doesn't happen that much anymore. Prospects see that, and the numbers back it up. Â
"With Kailex's success as a player at Indiana State and as a professional, he has a reputation as one of the elite skill development specialists in the country. His experience, knowledge, and ability to develop players make him an incredible addition to our staff."
Before Central Methodist, Stephens played professionally in Macedonia. He played collegiately at Francis Marion, Tallahassee Community College, and Indiana State. He began his career at Francis Marion in 2018-19, earning Peach Belt Conference Co-Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Stephens then spent the 2019-20 season at Tallahassee Community College, where he earned Second Team All-Panhandle Conference honors and was named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team.
The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native finished his playing career at Indiana State, appearing in 55 games with 25 starts over two seasons. His best season came in 2021-22 when he averaged 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Stephens ranked ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding that season and scored in double figures 16 times.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 Southern Miss men's basketball season are on sale and available for renewal. Fans can purchase new season tickets or renew their tickets by visiting smttt.info/MBB26Tix.
Follow @SouthernMissMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news regarding Southern Miss men's basketball.
"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."
Stephens spent last season at Central Methodist, helping the Eagles to a 19-11 mark. That included a run to the semifinals of the Heart of America Conference Tournament. He helped tutor a pair of Eagles who averaged 17-plus points per game and another who averaged 15-plus. Central Methodist averaged 79.4 points per game as a team and averaged 35.8 rebounds per game.Â
"Kailex is an exceptional addition to our staff," said head basketball coach Jay Ladner. "Our program has gained a national reputation and respect for increasing a player's value for whatever their next step in their career is.  We take great pride in developing young men holistically. We emphasize and demand individual skill development, which doesn't happen that much anymore. Prospects see that, and the numbers back it up. Â
"With Kailex's success as a player at Indiana State and as a professional, he has a reputation as one of the elite skill development specialists in the country. His experience, knowledge, and ability to develop players make him an incredible addition to our staff."
Before Central Methodist, Stephens played professionally in Macedonia. He played collegiately at Francis Marion, Tallahassee Community College, and Indiana State. He began his career at Francis Marion in 2018-19, earning Peach Belt Conference Co-Freshman of the Year honors after averaging 13.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Stephens then spent the 2019-20 season at Tallahassee Community College, where he earned Second Team All-Panhandle Conference honors and was named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team.
The Tuscaloosa, Ala., native finished his playing career at Indiana State, appearing in 55 games with 25 starts over two seasons. His best season came in 2021-22 when he averaged 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field. Stephens ranked ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding that season and scored in double figures 16 times.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 Southern Miss men's basketball season are on sale and available for renewal. Fans can purchase new season tickets or renew their tickets by visiting smttt.info/MBB26Tix.
Follow @SouthernMissMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news regarding Southern Miss men's basketball.
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