INDIANAPOLIS, Ind - NM State men's basketball assistant coach Shunn Buchanan has been selected to attend the 4th Annual Silver Waves Media Rising Stars Power Lunch, held during Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Buchanan is among 75 Division I assistant coaches nationwide chosen for the exclusive event, which will take place on Saturday, April 2, in Indianapolis. The annual gathering serves as a premier opportunity for rising coaches to build connections with some of the most influential figures in college athletics, including athletic directors, senior administrators and leading search firms.
Widely regarded as a launching pad for future head coaches, the event has seen significant success in recent years, with numerous past attendees advancing to NCAA Division I head coaching positions. This marks Buchanan's first invitation to the prestigious luncheon.
Buchanan recently completed his second season on staff at his alma mater, helping guide the Aggies to a 16-16 record and a berth in the Conference USA Tournament. NM State also opened the 2025-26 campaign with a historic 6-0 start – the program's best since the 1969-70 Final Four team.
Prior to returning to Las Cruces, Buchanan spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State, where he was part of back-to-back 21-win campaigns and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022-23 and 2023-24. During that span, the Bulldogs notched five wins over Associated Press Top 25 opponents, including three victories over Top 10 teams in the 2023-24 season. He also played a key role in the development of Tolu Smith III, a two-time All-SEC First Team selection.
Buchanan's history with NM State dates back to his playing career under head coach Chris Jans from 2017-20. During that time, the Aggies compiled 84 wins, captured three consecutive WAC regular season titles and earned NCAA Tournament appearances in both 2018 and 2019.
Buchanan becomes the second NM State assistant coach to receive an invitation to the event, joining Preston Laird, who was selected to attend last year's power lunch held in San Antonio.
For complete coverage of NM State Men's Basketball, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateMBB), Instagram (@NMStateMBB), and like us on Facebook (NMStateMBB).
##NM State##
