Recruiting Report: Carl Banks (2018)

In July, 5’8” point guard Carl Banks (2018) told us that his first season at Toledo Waite meant a change in environment and playing style. Specifically, Banks would be asked to score more and wanted to improve his grades. First, we spoke about the playing style adjustment. “I worked real hard to change and to, like, mold myself into do something different then what I’m used to doing,” Banks said. We'll get back to the on-court stuff later. As far as grades, Banks has been taking the classroom seriously. While his accumulative GPA is somewhere between 2.2 and 2.3, he’s currently holding a 3.7 this semester. He’s also found a major that he’d like to pursue in college: broadcast journalism. “I’m working on that right now. My accumulative is a lot higher. My GPA right now is a 3.4 for this last semester,” Banks said. “I’m just trying to work a little harder. I’ve been doing broadcasts and stuff lately. That’s where I want to be, a broadcaster … I just like the BCSN and on TV, like Shaq,” Banks said. Improving the academic transcript is crucial for Banks’ recruitment. Last time we spoke Banks wasn’t seeing any college recruitment. Now, things have started to get rolling. “Adrian College, they’ve been mailing me and stuff — been getting a lot of emails and mail from them. Mount San Antonio, I believe in California, I was put on their radar a few weeks ago,” Banks said. Adam Rodriguez, Head Coach at Waite, confirmed that he’s fielded a few calls from college scouts about Banks. At 5’8”, it would help if Banks were able to have a stand-out grassroots year and maybe add some bulk.

Wednesday v. Lima Senior

Waite was eliminated by last season’s Division I State Runner-Up, Lima Senior, on Wednesday. Although the team struggled in the fourth quarter, it was an opportunity to measure Banks against some larger, talented guards (namely, Jarius Ward, BJ Miller, and Marquis Coleman). Banks shined. Multiple times, he was able to use his size to bait them into block attempts with a hesitation move. Once they bit, Banks drove hard and found the contact or bucket. From the outside, he missed some triples, but was willing to shoot from NBA range. Banks may not have recorded even a single turnover against Lima's  length, and found separation nearly every time he looked to score. On the other end, Banks forced turnovers by getting into passing lanes. Really, even though Waite does have other talented players, the Indians would have got crushed without Banks. Instead, although they did end up losing 70-46, they were down only five at the end of the third quarter. If Banks continues to replicate those performances this summer with the Ohio Celtics, he’ll surely add more interest from JUCOs, Division III, and even Division II schools. https://twitter.com/OfficialRLight/status/837332035563831296