Kaleb Banks had never made a visit to the Midwest before, much less Indiana before he arrived at IU for his official visit on Thursday and Friday. The 6-foot-8 wing from Fayetteville, Ga., had a sense that he was getting to see the home of a historical basketball powerhouse, but it was more impressive than he was imagining.
“The buildings are really nice,” Banks said by phone Saturday. “I didn’t know it was going to be that nice. I liked Cook Hall. That was a real nice building. The Hall of Fame (display in Cook Hall) was real nice. The arena was really nice. I liked it all.”
The visit gave him and the Indiana coaching staff a chance to add layers to what already appears to be a strong relationship. With the new four-out, one-in style of offense Indiana coach Mike Woodson plans to bring into Bloomington, the Hoosiers need big wings who can shoot the ball and handle. Banks is very much that. A four-star recruit, the No. 92 player in the Class of 2022 and the Georgia Class 4A Region 5 Player of the Year this season, Banks averaged 23.5 points per game with Fayette County High School in 2020-21.
“We had a lot of conversations just about life,” Banks said. “But they really want me. They really want a 3 guy. I think they fit me and I fit them.”
Banks said he also got to meet with the strength staff and academic advisors. And he was impressed by the culinary choices in Bloomington, most notably Malibu Grill.
“Everything impressed me,” Banks said.
This was the last of three visits Banks is taking in June. He also visited Alabama and nearby Georgia Tech. But he said he’s done with visits until after the July evaluation period because he wants to focus on that. He’s playing with the powerhouse Atlanta Celtics on the Adidas Gauntlet 17U circuit. It will be his first chance to play in front of college coaches since 15U when they weren’t as frequent visitors and not nearly as interested in seeing him as they will be this summer. Last season because of COVID-19 coaches were not allowed in the building for summer circuit games.
“I definitely want to play this summer out and see how this summer goes,” Banks said. “This is really going to be my first time playing in front of college coaches. I just won’t take it for granted. I didn’t realize how much of a bummer it would be last summer to not be able to play in front of coaches, so I’m just not going to take it for granted.”
For complete coverage on Banks, GO HERE.
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