EATONTON – Putnam County High standout basketball player Eren Banks had multiple NCAA Division I offers. He made his commitment to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, and on Wednesday at his school he finalized those plans in the company of family, coaches, teammates and a host of other War Eagle students.

“It’s an honor to coach a kid like that,” said Putnam head boys basketball coach LaPatrick Marshall. “He deserves what he got. Every morning, we have a 6 o’clock workout, and he’s been there. He stays after school, after practice to work out on his individual game. He does it all. He’s a great student-athlete.”

Banks has been Putnam County and his region’s leading scorer from Day 1 and already eclipsed 1,000 career points. His junior season was marred by a midseason injury that took away about a month of action. He still put in 22 points per game, grabbed five rebounds and made two steals. Banks is also the consummate team player dishing out four assists per contest.

On the travel basketball scene, Banks has played for Georgia South and the Atlanta Express. Playing for the Express has taken him all over the country, including Chicago, to play.

At 6-3 and 170 pounds, one thing Georgia Southern plans to do for Banks is increase that weight.

“The coaches made me feel like a priority,” said Banks. “I like what they are doing there. They made me feel like a No. 1. I feel like I’m going to go in and play right off the bat. I’m going to work and fit in real good. They run the offense we run (at Putnam), so it will be an easy change.

“Gaining weight, that’s the big thing.”

Georgia Southern’s men were 13-16 in the 2021-22 season, 5-11 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Eagles started the current 2022-23 season 1-2. Banks had offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Coastal Carolina and Mercer. Mercer was the only other place than Statesboro that he visited.

“It’s really hard, at times,” said Banks about the recruiting process. The coaches began making contact during his sophomore season. “You wonder if they are going to call or text. Just let it happen.”

It was also during the 10th-grade run that Banks believed his scoring and leadership qualities on the court picked up.

Banks now would like to conclude his final Putnam County season as the Class AA Player of the Year and lead his fellow War Eagles to a state championship. He looked to his brother as his biggest influence.

“He tells me when I’m doing right and when I’m doing wrong,” said Banks. “He knows my game inside and out. He helps me through everything.”