With the beginning of faculty basketball season on the horizon, we’ve transitioned from our have a look at different Massive Ten applications to our player-by-player previews of the 2022-23 Indiana roster.

At this time, our participant profiles proceed with a have a look at freshman Kaleb Banks.

Beforehand: Malik Reneau, CJ Gunn, Jalen Hood-Schifino

Out of all of Indiana basketball’s freshmen, Kaleb Banks looks like the newcomer followers are speaking concerning the least.

Banks’ quieter, extra reserved angle — at the very least in press conferences — has led to his being considerably ignored within the preseason pleasure. That pleasure, at the very least for followers, is extra centered on gamers like Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino, to not point out the larger image for the crew.

However there’s so much to learn about Kaleb Banks.

Together with his stature alone, the Georgia native is a power to be reckoned with. Standing at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Banks is robust and proficient, with numerous pure talent. In his senior yr at Fayette County Excessive College, the ahead averaged 23 factors, 10 rebounds and 1.4 steals per recreation to earn the title of Georgia Class 4A participant of the yr.

As is the case with the opposite Hoosier freshmen, Banks carries spectacular numbers rankings-wise as nicely. ESPN ranked him 78th within the 2022 recruiting class, and he was ranked 84th by 247Sports and 131st by Rivals.com. Already, he appears to be residing as much as these expectations.

“I really feel like the speed at which he’s getting higher and he’s getting higher, and what he has proper now — his bodily talents — I really feel like he’s gonna be a sleeper,” Jordan Geronimo stated about Banks on a Zoom name in July.

Simply as vital because the numbers, although, are the relationships. Earlier than Banks even dedicated, an invisible string was already connecting him to the Hoosiers.

Banks’ relationship with Yasir Rosemond, now Mike Woodson’s affiliate head coach, dates again to Banks’ highschool days — Rosemond used to coach him when the 2 had been each in Georgia. When Rosemond took an assistant teaching job at Indiana in April 2021, that drew Banks’ eyes to the Hoosier state. He dedicated in July of 2021.

In doing so, Banks turned the primary class of 2021 recruit to decide to Mike Woodson’s Indiana crew.

Throughout a Zoom press convention over the summer time, Banks highlighted his relationship with power coach Clif Marshall and the opposite freshmen. Banks stated he and Marshall had gone fishing collectively, and he spent nearly day by day together with his friends.

All of Indiana’s freshmen maintain numerous promise as a gaggle. Individually, they’ve every obtained the potential to play some massive minutes as soon as they get used to taking part in on the subsequent stage and are available into their very own.

“I’m nonetheless studying how good I’m,” Banks stated over the summer time. “I feel I’ve nonetheless obtained numerous potential for me to achieve.”

The consensus is that Banks will likely be a small ahead, taking part in as a 3. That’s what was anticipated when he dedicated, and it’s carried over by summer time practices to now. Together with his wingspan and attain, utilizing Banks as a wing makes probably the most sense out of the gate.

One of many greatest enhancements Indiana must make as a crew is with taking pictures; whether or not it’s consistency from the wing, past the arc and even bounce pictures, the Hoosiers want extra constant taking pictures.

Whereas Miller Kopp is returning and appears the doubtless selection to begin at small ahead once more, and Tamar Bates a possible menace for Kopp’s spot, Mike Woodson now has many choices for each the beginning spot and replacements off the bench. Kopp will have to be very constant to be a daily starter, and it wouldn’t be stunning to see Bates battle onerous for that function.

Including Banks to the combo solely serves to strengthen Indiana’s depth. Dependable gamers off the bench might be simply as impactful as starters, and Banks has definitely been that impactful participant earlier than. In his senior season, Banks made 40 3-pointers and shot 63 % from the sphere.

Versatility can be one of many keys to this yr’s freshmen class. Whereas Banks must focus totally on adjusting to the school recreation and dealing on his taking pictures, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him taking over completely different roles on the court docket later within the season and the longer term.

Backside Line: Banks can have his fair proportion of competitors among the many upperclassmen for minutes, however he may discover his manner into minutes if he can defend and assist area the ground. If Banks can adapt shortly and present he can play on the faculty stage, he has an opportunity to be an important a part of Indiana’s future. And if that doesn’t fairly occur this season, there’s an excellent probability it should within the coming seasons.

Quotable: “Kaleb is somebody who continues to enhance his recreation and has an amazing future in basketball. He’s a really versatile participant each offensively and defensively. His means to attain the basketball and create for him and his teammates is one thing that was very enticing to our employees. He’s a tough-minded participant who performs with nice confidence and will likely be an impactful a part of our program. I like the best way he carries himself and exhibits his love for what he does.” – Mike Woodson when Banks dedicated to Indiana.

(Picture credit score: IU Athletics)

Filed to: 2022-23 season preview, Kaleb Banks