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James Banks III

James Alton Banks III (born January 16, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek Basketball League (GBL) and the EuroCup. He played college basketball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Texas Longhorns. In 2020-21 he led the Israel Basketball Premier League in blocked shots per game.

James Banks III
Banks with Texas in 2016
No. 1 – Aris Thessaloniki
PositionCenter
LeagueGBL
EuroCup
Personal information
Born (1998-01-16) January 16, 1998 (age 26)
Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2020: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2021–2022Birmingham Squadron
2022–2023Texas Legends
2023–2024Maine Celtics
2024–presentAris Thessaloniki
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× ACC All-Defensive Team (2019, 2020)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Chile Team

High school career

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Banks grew up playing football until eighth grade.[1] He did not play competitive basketball until his freshman year of high school.[2] He initially attended Columbia High School in DeKalb County, Georgia and St. Francis High School in Alpharetta, Georgia.[1] He averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds per game as a junior at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta. After being ruled ineligible by the Georgia High School Association for using an incorrect address, he transferred to La Lumiere School in La Porte, Indiana for his senior year.[1][3] Banks led La Lumiere to its first ever appearance at the High School Nationals title game.[4] A consensus four-star recruit, he committed to play college basketball for the University of Texas at Austin on October 8, 2015.[3]

College career

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Banks played sparingly in his two years playing for the Texas Longhorns, averaging under two points per game.[5]

After his sophomore season, he transferred to Georgia Tech and received a waiver for immediate eligibility.[6] On January 19, 2019, Banks recorded a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds in a 79–51 loss to Louisville.[7] As a junior, he averaged 10.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Banks ranked 10th nationally in blocks and led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in that category during conference play.[8] He was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team.[9] On November 5, 2019, he tallied 20 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks, making the game-winning free throws, in an 82–81 overtime victory over NC State.[10] On December 1, Banks posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high eight blocks in a 68–65 win over Bethune–Cookman.[11] As a senior, he averaged 9.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Banks ranked second in the ACC in blocks and earned ACC All-Defensive Team honors for his second time. He finished with the eighth-most career blocks (154) in program history.[8]

Professional career

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Hapoel Be'er Sheva (2020–2021)

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On August 1, 2020, Banks signed his first professional contract, a one-year deal with Hapoel Be'er Sheva of the Israeli Premier League.[12] He said: "It was just a great overall situation for me, with the need on that team for a big like me, the opportunity to play in the Winner League, which is one of the biggest leagues over there in Europe ... There’s a lot of spiritual and holy things (to visit)... There’s a lot of history over there."[13] In 2020–21 he led the Israel Basketball Premier League in blocked shots per game (1.8).[14]

Birmingham Squadron (2021–2022)

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In August 2021, Banks joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2021 NBA Summer League[15] and on October 9, 2021, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans.[16] However, he was waived prior to the start of the season.[17] On October 25, he signed with the Birmingham Squadron as an affiliate player.[18]

Texas Legends (2022–2023)

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On February 9, 2022, the Texas Legends traded for Banks, following season-ending injuries to both their centers, Tyler Davis and Loudon Love.[19]

Maine Celtics (2023–2024)

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On October 20, 2023, Banks signed with the Boston Celtics, but was waived the same day.[20] Eight days later, he joined the Maine Celtics.[21]

Aris Midea Thessaloniki (2024–present)

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On August 28, 2024, Banks signed with Greek club Aris Midea Thessaloniki.[22]

National team career

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Banks won a gold medal with the United States under-18 national team at the 2016 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile. He averaged 2.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.[23]

Personal life

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When Banks was four years old, his father James Banks Jr. died in a motorcycle accident. In February 2015, his mother, Sonja, was paralyzed in a car accident. She worked as a paralegal before joining the ministry. He has an older sister named Marissa.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Sugiura, Ken (February 14, 2020). "As Georgia Tech career ends, James Banks leaves more than dunks, blocks". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  2. ^ McKrell, Aaron (November 19, 2015). "Boys basketball: Banks wasn't always hoop dreamin'". The News-Dispatch. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Finger, Mike (October 8, 2015). "UT basketball coach Shaka Smart adds highly rated center". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 22, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "La Lu's James Banks named to 2016 USA Men's U18 National Team". LaPorteCountyLife. La Lumiere School. July 18, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Shapiro, Michael (March 28, 2018). "James Banks elects to transfer, marks fifth Longhorn to leave this offseason". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  6. ^ Sugiura, Ken (November 13, 2018). "Georgia Tech's James Banks receives waiver to play immediately". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  7. ^ Sugiura, Ken (January 21, 2019). "Depleted Georgia Tech hammered by Louisville". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "James Banks III". Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 11 July 2018. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  9. ^ Sugiura, Ken (March 11, 2019). "James Banks named to ACC's all-defensive team". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Giglio, Joe (November 5, 2019). "Deja vu: James Banks lifts Georgia Tech to last-second win over NC State". The News & Observer. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  11. ^ Sisbarro, Patrick (December 1, 2019). "Tech Basketball Escapes Against Bethune-Cookman 68–65". From The Rumble Seat. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Borghesan, Ennio Terrasi (August 1, 2020). "Hapoel Beer Sheva inks James Banks". Sportando. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Sugiura, Ken (August 3, 2020). "James Banks shares details about decision to sign in Israel". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  14. ^ "Israel basketball stats, results, box score, scout report and video online | Scouting4U".
  15. ^ Dammarell, Evan [@AmNotEvan] (August 2, 2021). "Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro headline the Las Vegas roster for the Cleveland Cavaliers" (Tweet). Retrieved August 2, 2021 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Pelicans waive Cheatham and Harper, sign Banks and Hill". NBA.com. October 9, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Pelicans waive three players". NBA.com. October 12, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "Birmingham Squadron finalize roster for team's first training camp in Birmingham". NBA.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  19. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". gleague.nba.com. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  20. ^ Maher, Rory (October 20, 2023). "Celtics Sign, Waive James Banks, Reginald Kissoonlal". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  21. ^ "Maine Celtics Announce Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  22. ^ "Ο James Banks III στον ΑΡΗ Midea". ArisBC.gr (in Greek). August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  23. ^ "Tenth FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Men – 2016". USA Basketball. October 4, 2016. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
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