STUDENT-ATHLETE BIO
NEW ORLEANS – LSU New Orleans men's basketball head coach
Stacy Hollowell has brought back former Privateer
Grant Kemp as his new director of basketball operations and video coordinator in preparation for the 2026-27 season.
Originally a walk-on during coach Hollowell's inaugural season on the Lakefront (2024-25), Grant caught the eyes of the coaching staff and his teammates due to his tireless work ethic and relentless positivity around the program. He was given a scholarship that spring, eventually earning more and more playing time for the Privateers as the season progressed.
"From the beginning, I saw something in Grant that went beyond basketball. He's a worker. He's gritty, dependable, and he never backs down from a challenge. As a player, I knew I could count on him in any situation, and I see those same qualities in him now as a member of our staff," said Hollowell.
"Grant is the kind of person you want in your organization because he's going to show up, work hard, find a way to get the job done, and never make excuses. I've got full trust in him, and I believe he has a really bright future in our business."
Kemp finished his playing career on the Lakefront with 30 appearances over two seasons. His best game came as a junior when the Privateers visited UTRGV with just six players active on the roster. Kemp finished two points shy of a double-double with eight points, 11 rebounds, four steals and four assists in 30 minutes of action - all career highs as a Division I student-athlete.
His journey in collegiate basketball began in 2022 when he enrolled at Washington College in Chestertown, Md. As a freshman, Kemp played in 23 games with eight starts. His best outing was a 15 point, seven rebound effort at Goucher, earning him Shoreman of the Week status.
He returned to Louisiana in 2023 when he played for LSU Alexandria as a sophomore. The Madisonville native made 24 appearances with 15 starts that season and was chosen to be on the Red River Athletic Conference's "Champions of Character" team, highlighting his respect for himself and his fellow student-athletes, his responsibility to himself and others, as well as his integrity and work ethic.
Grant was a four-year letter winner locally at Archbishop Hannan High School. During his four years as a Hawk, he scored 1,158 points, pulled down 601 rebounds, and finished with 557 assists and 278 steals. The Hawks basketball team won four district championships during his tenure, as well as an LHSAA championship during his senior season.
Kemp was a three-time first-team All-District selection, a two-time St. Tammany All-Parish selection, a two-time member of the
Clarion Herald's Elite Boys Basketball Team, and an honorable mention All-State selection as a senior. He graduated magna cum laude, was named team MVP following the 2019-20 season, won the Hawk Award during both his junior and senior seasons, and was named the 2022 Crystal Award winner - the most outstanding male student-athlete at Archbishop Hannan - in 2022.
He takes over the position from
Andrew Fava, who had been the program's director of operations since the arrival of Hollowell two seasons ago. Fava remains on staff and will now focus on full-time assistant coaching duties.
ABOUT LSU NEW ORLEANS
In July of 2026 the University of New Orleans rejoined the LSU system and rebranded to "LSU New Orleans" bringing together two powerful brands - the purple and gold of LSU with the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans. The transition marks a return to the LSU family for the University - a place it called home from 1958-2011. Athletic teams will remain the Privateers and continue to compete in the Southland Conference.
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