Eastern Kentucky University’s Devontae Blanton has been recognized by head coaches as a member of the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference Team, a testament to his talent and contributions on the court. The announcement came from the league’s Jacksonville, Florida headquarters.
In a media poll conducted among conference members, the Colonels were projected to finish second in the ASUN for the upcoming 2024-25 season, securing six first-place votes and accumulating a total of 528 points. Conversely, the Colonels were predicted to place fourth in a separate preseason poll of conference head coaches.
Blanton, a unanimous selection for the Preseason All-ASUN Team, had an impressive 2023-24 season, earning third-team All-ASUN honors after averaging 14 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 42 percent from the field. The 6-foot-6 wing finished the season ranked 17th in the ASUN for scoring, field goal percentage, and rebounding.
The senior from Macedonia, Ohio, notched three double-doubles last season, including standout performances of 20 points and 11 rebounds against Prairie View A&M, as well as 23 points and 11 rebounds at Kennesaw State and 23 points with 13 rebounds at Austin Peay. Blanton also scored a season-high 24 points in two games against Bellarmine and Florida Gulf Coast.
Last season, the Colonels celebrated a significant milestone by clinching the Atlantic Sun Conference Regular Season Championship—marking the program’s first regular-season conference title in 45 years. Head coach A.W. Hamilton was honored as the ASUN Coach of the Year, making history as the first coach in program history to receive this accolade twice.
Lipscomb topped both the media and coaches polls as the preseason favorite to win the conference title, garnering 27 of 54 first-place votes and a total of 591 points in the media poll, 63 points ahead of EKU. Following Lipscomb, Austin Peay (516), Florida Gulf Coast (429), and North Alabama (420) made up the top five teams.
In the coaches poll, Lipscomb secured eight out of a possible 11 first-place votes, totaling 138 points, with Austin Peay (110) and North Alabama (108) following in second and third, respectively. EKU’s 106 points earned them a fourth-place prediction, while Jacksonville rounded out the top five with 98 points.
