Indiana University Athletics
Kaleb Banks Aims for ‘Big Impact’ in Second Season
7/27/2023 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kaleb Banks wants his shot. Coach Mike Woodson wants to give it to him. And with an Indiana basketball lineup rich in playing-time possibilities, the versatile 6-7 sophomore forward aims to make his mark.
"I see myself making a big impact," Banks says via recent Zoom availability, "making those impact plays, grabbing that key rebound and getting that key defensive stop."
Banks' freshman impact moments were limited given IU's veteran firepower with Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, and Miller Kopp. In 24 games, Banks averaged 2.0 points and 0.9 rebounds in 5.6 minutes. He averaged 1.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 5.4 minutes in 14 Big Ten games. He totaled as many as eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in games.
His highlight came against Ohio State (five points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes), Purdue (four points and three rebounds in seven minutes), and Iowa (five points, two steals).
It was a snapshot of what he might do with more playing time -- if he proves he deserves it.
"The coaches want me to take that big step next year," Banks says. "With the flashes I showed last year, they just want me to improve off that."
That's true whether he starts or comes off the bench.
"I learned that you never know when it's going to be your moment, so just always be ready for that moment," he says. "It may be times when it's not your moment, and it may be times when you're in the fire and you're going to have to be ready to step up and make that moment happen."
Banks has the versatility to play small or power forward and is working to reach a point where he could do some ballhandling in the manner of Jackson-Davis and Thompson, who could rebound and push the ball up the court.
Banks was a do-it-all Georgia high school player, scoring more than 2,000 career points and averaging 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals as a senior at powerhouse Fayette County.
Veterans Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway figure to anchor the backcourt, but the frontcourt is wide open behind sophomore Malik Reneau, who is expected to make a big jump from a solid first season.
Transfers Kel'el Ware of Oregon, Payton Sparks of Ball State, and Anthony Walker of Miami of Florida, plus five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako are all primed for significant minutes.
Still, Banks is very much in the mix.
"I feel I fit in well with this team," he says.
Banks says Sparks has made a huge weight-room impression. Director of Athletic Performance Clif Marshall recently tweeted that Sparks tied the all-time NBA Combine record of 27 reps at bench pressing 185 pounds.
Banks says that during summer workouts Sparks has basically been unstoppable in the paint, and Mgbako is a two-way player with strong outside shooting skills, as is Ware. Walker brings Elite Eight and Final Four experience from Miami.
College demands can wear on freshmen, and they certainly did for Banks last season. He says his biggest challenge was adjusting to the season's length.
"It's how the ups and downs can come at you," he says, "and how you react to those."
Banks has worked to prepare for whatever ups and downs come next season. If he proves it to the coaches, look out.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kaleb Banks wants his shot. Coach Mike Woodson wants to give it to him. And with an Indiana basketball lineup rich in playing-time possibilities, the versatile 6-7 sophomore forward aims to make his mark.
"I see myself making a big impact," Banks says via recent Zoom availability, "making those impact plays, grabbing that key rebound and getting that key defensive stop."
Banks' freshman impact moments were limited given IU's veteran firepower with Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, and Miller Kopp. In 24 games, Banks averaged 2.0 points and 0.9 rebounds in 5.6 minutes. He averaged 1.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 5.4 minutes in 14 Big Ten games. He totaled as many as eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in games.
His highlight came against Ohio State (five points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes), Purdue (four points and three rebounds in seven minutes), and Iowa (five points, two steals).
It was a snapshot of what he might do with more playing time -- if he proves he deserves it.
"The coaches want me to take that big step next year," Banks says. "With the flashes I showed last year, they just want me to improve off that."
That's true whether he starts or comes off the bench.
"I learned that you never know when it's going to be your moment, so just always be ready for that moment," he says. "It may be times when it's not your moment, and it may be times when you're in the fire and you're going to have to be ready to step up and make that moment happen."
Banks has the versatility to play small or power forward and is working to reach a point where he could do some ballhandling in the manner of Jackson-Davis and Thompson, who could rebound and push the ball up the court.
Banks was a do-it-all Georgia high school player, scoring more than 2,000 career points and averaging 23.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals as a senior at powerhouse Fayette County.
Veterans Xavier Johnson and Trey Galloway figure to anchor the backcourt, but the frontcourt is wide open behind sophomore Malik Reneau, who is expected to make a big jump from a solid first season.
Transfers Kel'el Ware of Oregon, Payton Sparks of Ball State, and Anthony Walker of Miami of Florida, plus five-star freshman Mackenzie Mgbako are all primed for significant minutes.
Still, Banks is very much in the mix.
"I feel I fit in well with this team," he says.
Banks says Sparks has made a huge weight-room impression. Director of Athletic Performance Clif Marshall recently tweeted that Sparks tied the all-time NBA Combine record of 27 reps at bench pressing 185 pounds.
Banks says that during summer workouts Sparks has basically been unstoppable in the paint, and Mgbako is a two-way player with strong outside shooting skills, as is Ware. Walker brings Elite Eight and Final Four experience from Miami.
College demands can wear on freshmen, and they certainly did for Banks last season. He says his biggest challenge was adjusting to the season's length.
"It's how the ups and downs can come at you," he says, "and how you react to those."
Banks has worked to prepare for whatever ups and downs come next season. If he proves it to the coaches, look out.
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