Banks continues his recruiting surge

James Banks, a center out of Mount Vernon Presbyterian in Atlanta, started to see his stock take off toward the end of his junior season after putting up monster numbers. Playing with the Atlanta Celtics this spring and summer, his recruitment has continued to surge.

"I competed. I went up against a lot of guys that are ranked ahead of me and thought I did well offensively and defensively," Banks said. "I opened a lot of eyes. I altered and blocked a lot of shots, rebounded well and scored when I needed to. I need to just work on my body and getting bigger, stronger and faster."

The four-star prospect's list now includes Providence, Florida, LSU, Texas, Georgetown, Syracuse, Texas, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Georgia, USC, Auburn and more.

Georgia had Banks on campus for an unofficial visit in March and the two sides have stayed in constant contact since.

"I'm still looking at Georgia. I just talked to my man, Coach [Yasir] Rosemond," he said. "Coach [Mark] Fox makes sure to stay in touch with me. They are recruiting me really hard and I like the feel there. Of course staying close to home is always a plus."

Banks also made the drive to see Bruce Pearl's program at Auburn.

"It was a good visit," he said. "It was really good to see some of the personality of Coach Pearl. I know a couple of kids on the team there. It was a pretty good visit."

Syracuse generally doesn't spend much time recruiting in Atlanta, but Banks sure is happy to be hearing from the Orange.

"I have a good relationship with Coach [Mike] Hopkins. It's a great program with a lot of tradition. They are recruiting me pretty hard. I don't think I'd mind going up there."

Shaka Smart didn't waste much time after taking the job at Texas before targeting Banks as somebody he'd like to have in his program.

"That's a newer one for me. Coach Smart and Coach [Mike] Morrell have really been recruiting me hard," Banks said. "They seem to have a really good program. Since it is a new offer, I still have a lot more to learn about their program, but it should be a good look. Texas has had a lot of pros come out at the forward position like Lamarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant."

A long-standing relationship with a Mississippi State assistant has the Bulldogs in play for Banks.

"I used to train with Korey McCray," he said. "He's been on me hard. They were recruiting me hard there when Coach [Rick] Ray was there, so I already had a feel for the campus. It's a new coaching staff, but everything else is still the same there. I have a good relationship with Coach Korey."

With his recruitment still taking shape, don't expect a decision out of Banks any time soon.

"I still want to commit before my senior is out, so probably like mid-season," he said. "I might be able to make it in November for the early signing period. I'm really just looking for the best place for me and my development."

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