Former Putnam County basketball star Eren Banks recently announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
He announced the decision via social media after spending the last two seasons at Georgia Southern.
“After prayer, careful consideration, and discussions with my family, I have made the difficult decision to enter my name into the transfer portal,” Banks said in a statement via X (Twitter). “This has not been an easy decision, as I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had here at Georgia Southern University,” he continued. “I want to thank the entire coaching staff, my teammates, and the support staff for your guidance and belief in me throughout my time here. This program has played a huge role in my growth both on and off the court, and I will always be appreciative of that.”
Banks started in 54 games during his career at Georgia Southern and averaged 9.8 points per game. The 6-foot-4, 175-pound combo guard also shot nearly 40% from the 3-point line as an Eagle.
This past season, Banks was one of four GSU players to appear in all 33 games. He averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and a career best 2.3 assists per contest. He also shot 46% from the field.
Banks appeared in 30 of 33 games, starting 24 during his freshman campaign in 2023-24. He averaged 10.2 points and 2.6 rebounds and shot 43% from the field and 38% from the 3-point line.
Banks was a star at Putnam County and is the all-time leading scorer for the boys’ program with 1,679 points. He helped the War Eagles reach the Sweet 16 as a senior, when he averaged 22 points a game.
As a senior, Banks was regarded as one of the top guards in Georgia and was a second-team All-State selection.
The Eatonton native signed with Georgia Southern, but had other offers from Division I schools such as Mercer, Coastal Carolina, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Georgia State.
Banks has two years of eligibility left and has been exploring his options since entering the portal.
“At this point in my career, I feel that exploring new opportunities is the best path for my continued development as a student-athlete,” Banks said. “This decision comes with a lot of thought and respect for the program. I remain committed to representing myself and this university with class during this transition.”