Some basketball fans may recognize Marcus Banks because of his days at UNLV. Others may know him from his eight seasons in the NBA.
Idaho fans now know the 6-foot-2 point guard as the latest Stampede player trying to prove himself all over again to NBA teams.
Banks made his debut with the Stampede on Friday night as they hosted the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at CenturyLink Arena. Banks scored six points and dished out five assists as Idaho won 99-94. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Idaho (9-16). Rio Grande Valley (19-11) had won eight of nine games before Friday night.
Banks worked out this past summer with fellow NBA players but didn’t land a job once training camps started.
“Sometimes you have to take a couple steps backward to find yourself,” the 30-year-old said. “It’s a learning experience coming here, and it’s been great. I’m still learning the game, so this is a great situation, playing with a couple of (veterans) and being a mentor to some of the young guys who’ve never made it to the show.”
Banks has spent his fair share of time in the NBA. He was the 13th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, and has played with Boston, Minnesota, Phoenix, Miami and Toronto. He’s appeared in 348 NBA games (37 starts). In 2008, he was traded from the Phoenix Suns along with Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal.
It’s been a long journey, but Stampede teammate Antoine Walker believes Banks’ basketball journey is far from over.
“I’m excited for him and hopefully I can help him learn the trials and tribulations of the D-League, and work on getting him back (to the NBA),” said Walker, who played with Banks when they were members of the Celtics in 2005. “He’s still young and he still has a long career left. He still has a lot of basketball in him.”
That’s why coach Randy Livingston jumped at the opportunity to pick up Banks.
“It was a good get for us,” Livingston said. “He can really defend the ball, and I don’t think there are many guards in this league that are going to stop him from getting into the paint.”
Banks participated in four Stampede practices before making his debut Friday.
“It’s fun to be around guys in the locker room again,” he said.
While he admitted he might need a few contests under his belt before he’s in top game shape, he said he was “in competing shape.”
And competing is something he’s thrived on for most of his life.
“It’s basketball,” he said. “It’s what I love to do.
GAME NOTES: The game also featured the Idaho debut of D-League veteran Devin Green. He finished with 12 points, one of five Stampede players to score in double figures. Terrico White led the Stampede with 19 points. … There was a moment of silence before the contest for Micron CEO Steve Appleton, who died in a plane crash earlier in the day. … The Stampede wore pink jerseys Friday night and will again Saturday night. The jerseys will be auctioned off by the Stampede and auctionfrogs.org in support of breast cancer awareness, with proceeds going to St. Luke’s Hospital Mountain States Tumor Institute.
Chris Langrill: 377-6424
