With the beginning of faculty basketball season on the horizon, we’ve transitioned from our look at other Big Ten programs to our player-by-player previews of the 2023-24 Indiana roster.
As we speak, our participant profiles proceed with a have a look at sophomore Kaleb Banks.
Beforehand: Jakai Newton, Mackenzie Mgbako, Gabe Cupps, Kel’el Ware, Malik Reneau
The 2022-23 season was considered one of adjustment for Kaleb Banks.
The 6-foot-8 ahead from Fayette County (Ga.) arrived in Bloomington because the Georgia Class 4A participant of the yr and a four-star recruit.
However Banks needed to alter to a brand new position as a school freshman after being the star of his highschool group – one which completed because the Class 4A state runner-up in Georgia.
Whereas Jalen Hood-Schifino and Malik Reneau had fast paths to minutes of their debut seasons, Banks was on the perimeter of the rotation as a freshman. He was primarily behind Miller Kopp on the depth chart and the fifth-year senior performed a ton of minutes as a result of his taking pictures potential, expertise and underrated protection.
“It was positively a giant adjustment,” Banks mentioned final month at IU’s media day. “I simply discovered to battle by means of adversity. When occasions get robust, you gotta battle. There’s going to be a brilliant mild on the finish.”
Banks appeared in simply 24 of Indiana’s 35 video games and averaged two factors, 0.9 rebounds, 0.3 assists in 5.6 minutes of taking part in time. His two highest-scoring outputs have been eight factors in opposition to Bethune Cookman and Elon, two non-conference backside dwellers.
However in a switch portal period that may result in gamers opting to maneuver on rapidly if fast minutes don’t materialize, Banks stayed put and is hopeful he’ll get an opportunity to indicate extra in his second season.
“I’m not gonna lie, typically it was (onerous to remain affected person),” Banks mentioned final month. “It ended up all paying off on the finish. I’m glad I did (keep affected person).”
Now a sophomore, Banks may carve out a extra constant position in his second season below Mike Woodson.
Banks suits the profile of a prototypical ahead in trendy faculty basketball along with his dimension, athleticism and motor. He assaults the glass onerous on each ends, isn’t afraid to go to the rim and has the size to be disruptive as a defender.
What continues to be unsure about his recreation, nonetheless, is his taking pictures potential from the midrange and past.
Banks solely took 5 3-pointers as a freshman and related on two of them. However his free throw taking pictures – a bigger pattern dimension – wasn’t as encouraging. Banks did an important job of attending to the road – 28 free throw makes an attempt versus 29 subject aim makes an attempt – however solely related at a 53.6 % clip.
“I really feel like I can deliver loads,” Banks mentioned of his potential affect this season. “Simply doing something coach (Woodson) actually asks me to do. I can play a number of positions, I can swap one by means of 4, I really feel like.”
Backside Line: Banks will possible come off the bench once more this season however ought to have an opportunity to carve out a extra constant position. Whereas he confirmed flashes of his potential final season, he by no means was on the ground for sufficient minutes to get snug. His versatility ought to enable him to play each ahead spots. If he defends, rebounds and assaults the rim persistently, it is going to be onerous for the teaching workers to maintain him out of the rotation.
Quotable: “I really feel like this yr I’m extra snug. Extra snug making performs for myself and for teammates. I really feel like this yr I’m going to indicate that I’m a greater shooter than I used to be final yr. Higher rebounder, higher defender and with the ability to lock down the primary man.” – Banks at IU’s media day.
Filed to: 2023-24 season preview, Kaleb Banks
