Tag: Marcus Banks

What are the 5 biggest Celtics trades made during the NBA draft?

The Boston Celtics have made some hugely impactful trades during the NBA draft. Check out the miraculous story behind some of these deals.

The NBA draft is all about roster design. There are a lot of different strategies out there, but let’s stick with what legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach once offered: “They said you have to use your five best players but I found you win with the five who fit together the best.”

With that frame, the draft offers a tantalizing number of opportunities. Sure, you can select the best available player and hope he grows with your system. But fortune favors the bold — the NBA draft is a chance to really swing for the fences and bring in the right player. A smart trade on draft night can change everything.

Boston, unsurprisingly, has a history of moving and shaking far beyond the limited frame of their own specific pick. Following the leadership of Auerbach, the Celtics’ NBA draft trade history is a rich and storied one. As we’ll see, some of the franchise’s best players landed in green by way of a draft-day trade. Let’s discuss.

Former Alabama CB Marcus Banks announces unexpected transfer destination

Marcus Banks was expected to transfer to Miami, but he will stay in the SEC.

Sophomore Alabama cornerback Marcus Banks was a 2019 four-star recruit out of Houston when he committed to play for the Crimson Tide. In only a season and a half with the program, Banks totaled eight tackles and an interception.

On Nov. 8, Banks entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Experts predicted him to land in South Florida and join former Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal down in Coral Gables, Florida at the University of Miami.

However, in a late-night announcement, Banks shocked many by sharing to Twitter a jersey swap of himself in a Mississippi State Bulldogs uniform with the caption “Done deal.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Banks and other former Alabama players as they continue their careers elsewhere.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

These four transferring players could interest the Gators

Billy Napier and his staff are poised to strike in the transfer portal.

Thanks to the NCAA’s decision to lift the waiting period once imposed on transferring players, the transfer portal has blossomed as one of the most important tools in college football team building. It is an avenue that, while derided by some of the old heads of the sport, is quickly becoming vital to almost any program that wants to remain competitive.

The Gators’ coaching change has understandably resulted in considerable roster attrition as players have turned to the portal to find a new team now that the scheme and situation they were recruited into no longer exists. Most notable among those outgoing players are edge defender Khris Bogle, quarterback Emory Jones, wide receiver Jacob Copeland, and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate.

Two can play that game, though. Coach Billy Napier and his staff are poised to strike in the transfer portal, not only because their arrival and successes infuse new life into the program, but also because the draft and outgoing players will leave the team starved for experienced starters. In light of those facts, here are some players who may interest the Gators in the early transfer portal action.

Crimson Tide cornerback Marcus Banks enters NCAA transfer portal

We wish him nothing but the best, but he sure will be missed!

After just nine games on the year during his junior season, Alabama cornerback Marcus Banks has decided to put his name in the NCAA transfer portal.

Banks played in eight games for the Crimson Tide this season, and made one start against Mercer. He has played in 24 games during his career.

The announcement came just days after freshman “Kool-Aid” McKinstry made the start against LSU in place of an injured Josh Jobe.

Banks, a Houston, TX native, entered Tuscaloosa as a four-star recruit in the class of 2019 and the thirteenth-ranked CB in the class. He still has two years of eligibility.

 

The NCAA transfer portal, established in 2018, continues to both help and hurt the Crimson Tide simultaneously.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.

Grading Alabama’s defensive position groups at the halfway point

Let’s look at how the Alabama defensive position units have graded out at the halfway point of the season!

Unfortunately, we are already at the halfway point of the college football season. After last week’s loss to Texas A&M, Alabama sits at No. 5 in the country with a 5-1 record.

Since we have made it to the halfway point, it is time to give a midseason grade to each of the position groups. Yesterday we looked at the offensive position groups. Today we will look at the defensive position groups! Let’s get started!

Defensive Line B-

This group has been a little disappointing this season, but they have not been bad by any stretch of the imagination. Only one guy has been a consistent force on the defensive line for Alabama and that is Phidarian Mathis.

Mathis has racked up 3.5 sacks through the halfway point, which is a very solid number for an interior defensive lineman.

Some of the players such as Justin Eboigbe, DJ Dale, Byron Young, and even Tim Smith need to become more consistent players for the Tide.

Outside Linebackers A

Will Anderson has been an absolute animal for the Alabama defense. Anderon has three sacks on the season but is also third in the country in tackles for loss with 11.

Unfortunately, injuries have plagued the outside linebacker position opposite of Anderson. Christopher Allen’s season was cut short in the opener against Miami so Drew Sanders replaced the talented Allen. Then against Ole Miss, Sanders suffered a hand injury and is now week-to-week so to speak.

True freshman Dallas Turner has stepped up in the absence of Sanders and is doing a pretty good job.

The outside linebackers have been the most positive group along the defense this season.

Inside Linebackers C+

The lofty expectations for the Alabama defense heading into the 2021 season had a lot to do with the pair of inside linebackers that Alabama would have in Christian Harris and Henry To’oT’o.

Now that we are at the halfway point, it is safe to say those two players have not lived up to expectations. Now don’t get me wrong, they have flashed how great they can, but they both have also missed tackles and missed assignments. And they are both better than what they played so far.

Let’s see if they can turn this around in the second half of the season.

Cornerbacks B+

This group, much like the outside linebacker group, has really played pretty consistently all season. Josh Jobe has had the occasional penalty, but if we are being honest, in the pass and flag happy world in which college football is played, some penalties are to be expected.

Jalyn Armour-Davis has maybe been the surprise player of the season for the Tide. He is always in position and if he doesn’t make a play on the ball, he brings the receiver down quickly with no yards after the catch.

We have also seen the backups get a start this season in Kool-Aid McKinstry and Marcs Banks and they have proven to be valuable depth at the cornerback position.

Safeties / Stars C+

It is a common theme among the Alabama defense this season, the word inconsistent. Alabama returned plenty of experience in the back end of the defense and for whatever reason, they have simply not performed to their capabilities.

Jordan Battle isn’t an elite safety, he’s just steady. DeMarcco Hellams is constantly caught out of position and displays poor open-field tackling. Then you have Malachi Moore and Brian Branch who have yet to make a splash play from the star position.

The season is only half over, so that means there is plenty of time for each position group to correct its mistakes and get back to the Alabama defensive standard.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

On this day: Smart, Walker, Fox drafted; Perkins, Banks traded for

On this day, the Boston Celtics drafted Marcus Smart, Antoine Walker and Rick Fox, and traded for Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, the Boston Celtics selected two players of note in the 2014 NBA draft, held in Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The first was 6-foot-3 combo guard Marcus Smart out of Oklahoma State University, taken with the sixth overall pick of the draft. A native of Flower Mound, Texas, Smart fit in well almost immediately and would make the 2014-15 All-Rookie Second Team in his inaugural season with the Celtics.

Smart’s brand of intense, all-out attack frequently saw the former Cowboy banged up with a litany of minor injuries, and his professionalism and dedication would position the young guard as the “heart and soul” and unofficial captain of the team in just a few short seasons.

Still with the team, he has averaged 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game over seven seasons with the franchise, making the 2018-19 and 2019-20 All-Defensive First Teams.

WATCH: Bryce Young trains with Alabama receivers before official practices begin

Alabama’s five-star true freshman quarterback Bryce Young is seen training with Alabama WRs days before official training is set to begin.

It was recently reported that SEC football players would be allowed back on campus to train with staff beginning June, 8.

However, that may be too long to wait for some of the Crimson Tide’s 2020 squad.

A few videos were posted online which showed numerous Alabama players, including quarterbacks throwing, receivers running routes and catching passes and defensive backs getting some one-on-one work in on the field where the Million Dollar Band practices on University Blvd. on campus.

The videos are from a trainer that is not affiliated with Alabama, Ro Simon Jr..

This video shows receivers DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Slade Bolden, John Metchie, Javon Baker, Xavier Williams and defensive back Marcus Banks.

Another video shows Alabama’s five-star true freshman quarterback Bryce young passing to Jaylen Waddle.

Waddle had to jump to catch the pass, but got both feet down in the end zone which would make this an NFL touchdown.

Mac Jones can be seen in the background wearing his shoulder pads with shorts and no jersey.

These are not official practices, but it should feel good for Alabama fans knowing their players want to be out there perfecting their craft.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on all things Alabama football as the season gets closer.

Alabama player snapshot: No. 26 Marcus Banks

Sophomore cornerback Marcus Banks is the next man up on Alabama football’s player snapshot, which highlights each scholarship player.

As we continue through the offseason, Roll Tide Wire has decided to bring fans a quick snapshot of each scholarship player listed on Alabama’s 2020 football roster.

Each day, we’ll release two player profiles giving fans a glimpse into the players who will be available this upcoming season. Whether that’s size, classification, hometowns or recruiting rankings coming out of high school, we’ve got you covered.

Also included in each article is a quick recap letting you know what to expect from that player for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.

Next up on the list is sophomore cornerback Marcus Banks out of Houston (Tex.).

Marcus Banks, Cornerback

Marcus Banks
Jan 5, 2019; San Antonio, TX, USA; East wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (1) catches the ball as West defensive back Marcus Banks (8) defends during U.S. Army All-American Bowl high school football game at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-0 / Weight: 170

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Houston (Tex.)

High School: Dekaney High School

HS ranking (247Sports): 4-star / No. 127 overall / No. 13 CB / No. 21 TEX

HS ranking (Rivals): 4-star / No. 53 overall / No. 8 CB / No. 9 TEX

Analysis: At 6-foot, 170 pounds, Marcus Banks doesn’t have the typical size Alabama looks for with its perimeter cornerbacks, but it doesn’t really matter. The rising sophomore makes up for with a ferocious style that includes playing bigger than he is.

Banks is also long for a cornerback who is only 6-0, and he’s got plenty of fluidity, instincts and the overall mental makeup needed to succeed going against some of the bigger, more physical receivers in the SEC.

Like it’s been mentioned plenty of times before in other player profiles, Alabama is losing Trevon Diggs, Scooby Carter and Nigel Knott at cornerback, so the need for Banks and others cannot be overstated.

Will he start? Probably not, as Patrick Surtain II, Josh Jobe and Ronald Williams Jr. are presumed to top the depth chart, but players such as Banks and Jayln Armour-Davis will be vital roles to the overall depth at the position.

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