NCAA Basketball: Impact of James Banks III transferring from Texas to Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets have landed a big man transfer from Texas in James Banks III who is returning to his home state of Georgia to continue his college basketball career.

A productive former Texas Longhorn center has now moved to the ACC and has joined Georgia Tech. Banks played two seasons at Texas, and though he averaged just over ten minutes a game during his career, he contributed over a block and over two rebounds a game.

The center’s motive to transfer to Georgia Tech is not entirely known, but several inferences can be made. Banks is a native of Decatur, Georgia, not far from Atlanta, which is where he will now be going to school and competing. Also, with limited minutes at Texas, Banks should see more action with a young Yellow Jacket team looking to become relevant in a very difficult ACC conference.

The downside to the transfer is that Banks will need to sit out the 2018-19 season because of NCAA transfer rules. But beginning in 2019-20, he will have two seasons of eligibility left.

Banks will be an important force in the middle for a struggling Georgia Tech program. He is 6-foot-10, and has the athleticism to alter shots and protect the rim. He must improve his mid-range shooting and post up ability, as his scoring lacks in every area.

It does help though that the Yellow Jackets have two strong sophomore forwards in Evan Cole and Moses Wright who will assist Banks in the frontcourt. The only real missing piece is Banks, which is why Georgia Tech fans should be very pleased to be able to add Banks.

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The transfer from Texas to Georgia Tech is a mutually beneficial one for Banks and the Yellow Jacket basketball program. The center provides them with one type of player they desperately need to be competitive in the ACC, and in exchange will get to play much closer to home and get much more playing time.