Countdown to Tipoff: 13 Days

James Banks

Forward/Center - 6’10” | 250 lbs | Senior

2018-19: 10.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.5 bpg

After two seasons at the University of Texas and limited playing time, James Banks decided he needed a change of scenery. With Georgia Tech needing front court depth before the start of last season and Banks growing up in Decatur, it was a perfect match. Once becoming eligible, Banks immediately became the Jackets starting center and proved to be one of the most important players on the roster. He supplied excellent two way play all season, as Tech’s second leading scorer as well as their leading rebounder and shot blocker. Banks will be relied on to provide leadership in the upcoming season as one of just two seniors on the roster. On the defensive end he is already a fantastic player, averaging 2.5 blocks per game last season which was good for 11th best in the country. Offensively, he will look to expand his game. Last season the vast majority of Banks’ offense came inside the paint so stretching the range on his jump shot would make an already solid scorer even more dangerous.

Moses Wright

Forward - 6’9” | 230 lbs | Junior

2018-19: 6.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg

After two seasons in a bench role, Moses Wright should be ready to step into the lineup as a full time starter now with the graduation of AD Gueye. Looking at his overall stat line and the way he played early last season, that might be cause for concern. But Tech fans who watched Wright’s game develop over the course of the 2018-19 season know that doesn’t really tell the whole story. Wright is one of the most gifted athletes on the Jackets’ roster but up until late last season looked like just that: an athlete but not a basketball player. Whenever he touched the ball there was a fear (at least in my eyes) that he was going to commit a turnover or put up a bad shot. In late February everything changed for Wright as he averaged over 15 points per game over his final five, culminating in a dominant 25 point, 7 rebound effort against Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament. Whatever player that was down the stretch of last season, Tech fans hope he is back to start the 2019-20 season. If he can continue to develop himself as a half-court player, both as a scorer and play maker, it will be a real boon for this team.