Banks is Banking He Can Help

Ron Bailey, Publisher

His high school struggled this year, but Calvin Banks has much to offer a program.

March 26, 2010 - Averaging a solid 15 points a game for a sub-.500 McKinley Tech (DC) team this year, Calvin Banks' college options are currently limited. "We had no team success" said the 6'1", 165 pound senior combo guard of Tech's season. "We beat one ranked opponent, that was about it. It was (Friendship) Collegiate, they were number nine I think when we beat them".

That lack of on court success obviously precludes the casual recruiter from attending games, which diminishes opportunities for scholarships. Banks, whose GPA is a cumulative 2.87 and owns a 1490 SAT score (he's qualified under NCAA guidelines), understands that dynamic.

Calvin Banks is a sleeper, one that can postiviely impact a school's program. (photo provided by Banks)

Resultantly, he's considering all options; Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and the JUCO ranks. In terms of community college, Banks remarked "Someone asked me about it. Howard Community College was hitting me". Previously, NC State, Army and Howard had shown various levels of interest.

Frank Simpson, head coach and Athletic Director of Don Bosco (MD) understands the past interest, and thinks Banks can help a program: "I think that thing that Calvin does well, and you don't see it too much particularly at the high school level, is the 15 foot pull up...That's the marquee of his game.

"Anybody looking for a solid guard that can knock down the open shot, or drive and pull up or dish it, he's your guy.

"He's shown ability to fill it up on good and bad teams. On the first playoff night (DCIAA) he had 30 i think. When it's time to perform, he can perform".

Though he knew McKinley would likely suffer this year, Banks eschewed opportunities to leave, indicating education drove his decision.

"Well, McKinley is a good school. I had opportunities to transfer" he recalled, "but I liked the programs they had, like bio tech, information technology, mass communications (his focus) and engineering".

The smart recruiter will lure him to their school, as Banks will benefit an institution, on and off the floor.