By Robert Wilson
Benjamin George won three state boys basketball state championships playing for legendary coach Thomas Billups at Lanier High in 2005-2007.
George’s son, Lazabian Banks, wants to bring home Lanier a gold ball, too.
Banks, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, has gotten his team off to a great start this season, and had a big week last week.
Banks averaged 20.5 points, and shot 54.5 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from 3-point range, and 84.6 percent from the free throw line, and led Lanier to two victories.
For his outstanding performance, Banks has been named the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Boys Basketball Player Of the Week.
Banks had 22 points (7 of 10 from the field, 3 of 4 from 3-point range and 5 of 6 from the free throw line), 2 rebounds and 1 assist in a 70-68 victory over defending MHSAA Class 6A state champion Ridgeland and had 19 points (5 of 12 from the field, 3 of 5 from 3-point range and 6 of 7 from the free throw line), 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in a 73-57 victory over MHSAA Class 6A Callaway last week.
He is averaging a team-high 16.9 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and shooting 51 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range, and 78 percent from the free throw line and has led Lanier to an 11-2 record this season.
The Bulldogs are considered one of the favorites in MHSAA Class 5A this year and are ranked No. 4 in Mississippi by Maxpreps, one spot ahead of defending MHSAA Class 7A state champion Germantown. Lanier’s only losses are one-point decision to MHSAA Class 6A and Jackson Public School rival Jim Hill and a 12-point decision to MHSAA Class 6A Terry.
Banks is a member of the Tatum and Wade/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Elite 11 Team.
“Zay was phenomenal this week,” Lanier coach Bo Clark said. “He’s played well against two of the top players in the state (Ridgeland’s Khameron Snow and Callaway’s Braxton Ward, both members of the Preseason Elite 11 Team). Zay has held his own, while being a leader for us. He has managed our expectations for him and we’re just hoping he can continue to handle everything as we move into district play.”
Banks has offers from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central CC, Holmes CC, and Meridian CC.
Banks averaged 15.2 points, 4.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds and helped Lanier to a 24-6 record and the MHSAA Class 4A second round last year as a junior.
“In my opinion, Lazabian is the best guard pound for pound in the state,” Clark said. “I don’t think there is another guard that’s 5-foot-9, 135 pounds who can do what he does with the ball. This kid has a handle on the ball, he can shoot the 3 at a high level and he can create his own shot. Lazabian plays great on the ball defense and could probably be a lockdown defender if he worked at it a little more. I really feel like if he was 6 feet tall, he would be highly recruited. A lot of folks overlook him because of his size. He’s a diamond in the rough. As far as character, I can’t ask for a better kid. Lazabian hasn’t gotten in any trouble in and out of school for years. He’s a likable kid, quiet and reserved and just a good kid.”
Banks is the son of Benjamin George and Miranda Banks-George. Benjamin played basketball at Lanier High and won three state championships, playing with former NBA star Monta Ellis as a sophomore. Benjamin played basketball at Mississippi Delta Community College. Miranda graduated from Lanier. Banks’ brother, Lazyan George, is a junior at Lanier and plays basketball. Banks’ cousin, Chrishard Warner, is a senior at Lanier and plays basketball.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a boys basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by sending a text to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
WEEK ONE: Jeff Flanagan, Madison Central
WEEK TWO: Sam Funches, Germantown
