University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach John Shulman has received scholarship papers from 6-foot-7 forward Anthony Banks of North Cross School in Roanoke, Va.
Banks averaged about 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks per game last season for the Raiders who reached the state semifinals last year. Scouts Inc., has Banks rated as one of its top 100 small forwards in the country.
"Ol' John is getting a steal now," North Cross coach Joe Lambert said. "There are going to be a lot of upset fellas saying they should have recruited him when they see what's going to unfold."
Whether Banks plays with the Mocs next season depends heavily on the NCAA giving him clearance next summer. Banks played for two years at Patrick Henry before transferring to North Cross and repeating his sophomore year.
"He's going to have his grades, and he's going to have his test scores," Shulman said. "He re-classed, so this is his fifth year in high school."
Lambert said transferring from a public to private prepatory school has made a big difference in Banks' academic habits.
On the court, Lambert said, Banks had developed a mid-range game and his ball-handling has improved.
"Some kids have an 'it' factor that you can't coach or can't teach," Lambert said. "Those are special kids and they know how to win. That's Anthony."
Banks chose UTC over Appalachian State and Western Carolina after receiving attention from Akron and Auburn.
"It's a basketball town," Banks said. "When you mention UTC, you usually hear about the basketball."
Herding Marshall
Shulman said Wednesday there is a possibility UTC could play at Marshall next season during an exempt-tournament similar to this season's South Padre tournament which has UTC playing at Richmond then Missouri.
"One of these tournaments has Marshall involved in and we're looking at different options," Shulman said. "We haven't signed anything but we're looking at it hard.
"You say 'Marshall' or 'East Tennessee State' here in Chattanooga and it gets people's blood boiling."
Mocs picked fourth again
The Southern Conference media concurred with the league coaches in selecting UTC to finish fourth in the North Division with Western Carolina winning it and College of Charleston the South.
"We probably need to be picked seventh out of six teams," Shulman said. "We are raw and trying to learn every single day."
David Uchiyama is a sports writer at the Chattanooga Times Free Press who began his tenure here in May 2001. His primary beats are UTC athletics — specifically men’s basketball and athletic department administration — and golf, which includes coverage from the PGA Tour to youth events. He also covers other high school sports, outdoor adventures, and contributes to other sections of the newspaper when necessary. David grew up in Salinas, Calif., and began working ...
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