Interest builds in Atlanta big man
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James Banks, 6-foot-10 center out of Mount Vernon Presbyterian School in Atlanta, has seen his recruitment take off in recent months after a strong junior season where he averaged 23 points, 14 rebounds and nine rebounds per game.
Offers have rolled in from Mississippi State, Tennessee, Georgia, Tulsa, ECU, USC, George Mason, Charlotte, Cornell, South Carolina, Nebraska, Cincinnati, Memphis, Harvard, Clemson and Auburn, with other schools still calling as well.
The class of 2016 prospect recently made the short drive over to Athens, Georgia, to learn more about the Bulldogs basketball program.
"I was up there for a few hours after school," Banks said. "I took a tour of the school and got to sit down with the coaches and talk. I talked to all the coaches up there. They talked to me about what my experience would be like at Georgia, academics, basketball, life after basketball."
The visit put Georgia firmly in the mix for Banks.
"I'm considering Georgia because it's obviously in my backyard and they showed a lot of love on the visit. Coach (Mark) Fox, he talked to me a lot and we started to build a relationship. We talked about basketball and academics and he made it seem like a great place to be as a player at my position."
Clemson also had the Georgia native on campus recently.
"I had a great time when I went to the Clemson game when they beat Syracuse. They put a beating on Syracuse that game. They had a great crowd that day. They were loud and energetic. I like the coaches at Clemson. (Assistant) coach (Richie) Riley stays in my ear. I had a great talk with all the coaches. I like the way they are recruiting me."
Clemson's in-state rival, the South Carolina Gamecocks, also have put in serious work recruiting Banks early in the process.
"I was actually supposed to visit South Carolina a few weeks ago, but I couldn't make it. (Assistant) coach (Perry) Clark stays on me. He came down to see me last week. I think I like South Carolina. I wish I had a better relationship with the head coach."
Bruce Pearl has had a lot of success recruiting in Atlanta since his days at Tennessee, and just recently nabbed another commitment from Jared Harper in the class of 2016. He's hoping to add another metro Atlanta product to that class at Auburn.
"Auburn is fairly new to my recruitment. I just got off the phone with (assistant) coach (Tony) Jones and talked to Coach Pearl a little bit too. They are one of my newer offers. That's one I need to do a little more homework into it. I haven't taken a visit yet. Those guys came and watched me work out not too long ago."
USC's coaching staff may be located over 2,000 miles away from Banks, but that hasn't stopped them from building a strong relationship with the three-star prospect.
"I have a great relationship with (assistant) coach (Kevin) Norris. He was just in the gym the other day. He stays on me and we talk on the phone a lot. Building a relationship is important to me, especially if I were to go out to Southern California. If I go out there, I want to have something I'm comfortable with."
Don't look for Banks to come to a decision any time soon, as he's still fairly early in the recruiting process.
"My commitment will probably come at the beginning of basketball season in my senior year. It will probably be November. I'm looking for a school where I'm needed and somewhere I can develop in my earlier years and where I feel comfortable with the coaches. I'm looking for a great academic program where I can have a life after basketball."