Grand Canyon High School is coming off a strong 2013-2014 high school basketball season, reaching the state playoffs and finishing with a 23-9 overall record on the season. While Grand Canyon would fall short of reaching the state finals, losing to Scottsdale Prep in the state quarterfinals, they would receive a terrific season from their top overall prospect in the program - 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior forward Joey Bankston.
Bankston would carry his team on his back this high school season - leading the team in numerous statistical categories. Bankston would average very impressive numbers on the season - pouring in a team-high 22.6 points and 13.2 rebounds per/game, while shooting 55% from the field.
For his tremendous accomplishments on and off the basketball court this season, this week Bankston was selected as the Division-IV Player of the Year for the 2013-2014 season - receiving the selection as the division's top performing student-athlete.
Still an uncommitted senior prospect in the highly under recruited state of Arizona, Bankston has developed into one of the state’s top overall prospects over the past several years. A native of Toledo, Ohio, where he lived until moving to the state of Arizona, Bankston had very humble beginnings growing up. While being raised by a single mother, Bankston came from the streets of Ohio as a youngster to develop into the young man he is today. Bankston has worked really hard on his game and in the classroom to become a nice young prospect, that doesn’t take life for granted.
Bankston is among the state’s top young talents, and his athletic talent as a college prospect is glaring. This young man is among the most athletically gifted players in the state, as he has a serious motor and makes plays most his size cannot. He plays well above the rim when he attacks the basket and has great lift off the floor. Still developing his perimeter skills to reach his full potential as a player, Bankston is now working very hard on his fundamental approach to the game to increase his ability for the collegiate level.
Bankston will look to land a college scholarship for himself this spring, and plans to play again on the spring AAU/club circuit in an attempt to raise the attention of college coaches. Bankston will play this spring again with head coach Kenny Mullins and his Arizona Magic Elite club team, a team loaded with many of the state's top prospects.
Congratulations to Bankston and his wonderful family on this amazing accomplishment from our staff here at Arizona Preps.
Bankston is also a very good student and carries a 3.8 CUM GPA. He is a full-academic qualifier by NCAA standards.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Bankston is a wing prospect with a high motor and good energy. He is an athletically gifted performer that has very good bounce and quick explosion off the floor. He has seen much of his time up to this point as a four-man, but will need to continue to develop his perimeter skills to fully develop into a wing prospect for the future. Bankston is a solid shooter from mid-range, but still needs work to become more consistent from the perimeter, which will open up his offensive game. He will also need to continue to work hard on his ability to put the basketball on the floor, which will open up his offensive repetoire as well. With continued hard work in these two areas, he could progress into a serious division-I prospect. An excellent rebounder for his size and competes hard on both ends of the floor. An active rebounder that rebounds outside of his area. Runs the floor very well and is a very good slasher and open court player. Good defender. Has excellent work ethic and a great attitude.
