Southland Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)
By Joey Loose
23. Gavin Kensmil
Kensmil would begin his career at Iona but played very briefly before finding his home at Stephen F. Austin. The 6’7 forward from Suriname originally joined the Gaels back in 2017, scoring just 23 points while at Iona. After sitting out as a transfer, he’d be a full-time starter for the next three seasons for the Lumberjacks. However, Stephen F. Austin would depart for the WAC after his junior year, meaning we’re just focusing on those first two seasons.
During his first year with the Lumberjacks, Kensmil averaged 11.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, leading the program to a 28-3 mark and a regular season title in the Southland. He had several more impressive outings, but he did have 15 points in Stephen F. Austin’s legendary upset at #1 Duke. He’d add on more nice performances, including a 17-rebound game at Lamar, during his junior year, a season where the Lumberjacks settled for 3rd place. Kensmil averaged 15.9 points and 7.1 rebounds across a somewhat shortened season.
He wasn’t the big star during that amazing 28-win season, but Kensmil was the Southland Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-Southland. He’d win First Team honors as a junior before putting up even better numbers in the WAC as a senior with the program. He led the conference in field goal percentage as a junior and would be a major factor in Stephen F. Austin’s success in those last two seasons in the Southland.