CLEVELAND, Ohio – Marcus Banks Jr., a standout guard for the Massachusetts Minutemen, has made waves in college basketball. He’s been named the Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Last week, Banks Jr. dazzled fans with his performance. He scored a career-high 37 points in a win over Central Michigan on February 3. Just days later, he added 21 points in an unforgettable triple overtime game against Coastal Carolina.
Over these two games, the Hampton, Virginia native averaged 29 points and demonstrated his sharpshooting—hitting 54.1% of his shots, including 14 of 25 from three-point range. His talents didn’t stop there; he also averaged 3.5 steals per game.
In the game against Central Michigan, he made history by sinking ten three-pointers, a record for the Massachusetts program. Incredibly, he and Central Michigan’s Logan McIntire together made 22 three-pointers, marking the highest combined total by any duo in NCAA Division I history.
Banks Jr. is becoming a fan favorite not just for his skill but also for thrilling moments, like his buzzer beater that sent the Coastal Carolina game into a third overtime.
What makes his achievements even more remarkable is the context of college basketball today. According to the NCAA, three-point shooting has skyrocketed over the past decade, with teams now attempting more shots from beyond the arc than ever before. Banks Jr.’s success is a part of this evolving game.
As he prepares for the next challenge against Akron on February 13, fans are eager to see what he’ll do next. Keep an eye on this young star—he’s definitely one to watch this season.
For more thrilling NCAA insights, you can check the NCAA’s official site here.
