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STM coach reflects on McDonald's All-American experience
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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- It's been an unbelievable journey for STM Head Basketball Coach Danny Broussard.
Just over a year ago, he was in bed recovering from a triple-bypass surgery, nowhere near a basketball court.
Fast forward from that experience to March of 2025, when Broussard lead his overachieving Cougars to a Division 1 State Runner-Up performance in the State Playoffs. Then in April, it's off to coach the nation's best high school talent in the McDonald's All-American game.
After applying to coach the prestigious national high school all-star team several times, with no response, he finally got his chance this year. It took a moment for reality to set in, though, especially since the letter came on April 1.
"My first thought was, 'Wait, I spy an April Fools joke on me,'" Broussard said. "This is not real. And she goes, 'No, coach, it's not April Fools joke. You'll be coaching at the Barclays Center on April 1st.'"
Broussard said everything was first class, from the travel to the accomodations, to the quality of talent of these player.
"It was kind of funny; my starting lineup was 6-3, 6-7, 6-8, 6-8 and 6-9. That was our starting lineup," he said. "And the 6-9s can handle the basketball just like the 6-3 guys."
With so much talent, Broussard and his staff worked to put together a practice and game plan that suited these players' ability.
"A lot of shooting drills," he said. "We try to put in a basic offense, you know, nothing too complicated, a couple of double handles, high ball screens and kind of play off of that, you know. And again, look, these guys can get room. They can create their own shots. And it worked out pretty good for us."
It sure did His West Ssquad won 105-92. But even more important than that for Broussard was what he recognized as a result of the process.
"I kind of learned to appreciate what I got right here a little bit more maybe," he said. "(I) kind of got spoiled a little bit and said, 'Man, you know what? Pretty good place I'm at right now.' I got some pretty good kids."