MARCUS BANKS: An NBA rookie no more

Ex-Rebel talks about first year as a pro

The Reebok Vegas Summer League, which will feature six NBA teams and will tip off Tuesday at the Cox Pavilion, is dubbed "Stars of Tomorrow."

Las Vegas native Marcus Banks of the Boston Celtics, preparing for his second NBA campaign, hopes to live up to that billing.

Banks, a 6-foot-2 point guard who was a lottery pick, the 13th selection overall, in last summer's draft, averaged 5.9 points, 2.2 assists, 1.6 rebounds and a little more than one steal per game his rookie year, in which he played 17 minutes per contest.

The former UNLV standout plans to make more of an impact next season.

"I'm looking forward to next season. I just want to get out there, work hard, earn my spot and showcase my talent," the 22-year-old said. "When you're a rookie point guard, it's the toughest position to play in the league. You have to worry about keeping your teammates happy and keeping everybody in the game.

"I expect things to be totally different this year. I think I'm going to make a pretty big impact once I learn the tricks and trades of the game. I can't wait to get started. I'm looking forward to playing a long time in the NBA. It's the greatest job in the world."

Banks, who led Cimarron-Memorial High School to the state title in 1999, earned All-American honors at Dixie State College in Utah before transferring to UNLV for his junior and senior years, where he was twice named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Banks averaged 20.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.8 steals per game for the Runnin' Rebels his senior season and started all 63 games he played at UNLV.

Banks, considered one of the quickest players in the NBA, took a tumultuous rookie year with the Celtics in stride as the team switched coaches midway through the season and made several personnel changes before rallying to make the playoffs, where the team was swept by the Indiana Pacers in the first round.

"I don't think we're that far away. We made the playoffs this year and people didn't expect it," Banks said.

A fierce competitor, Banks had to learn how to deal with losing in the long NBA campaign.

"When you lose 50-something times in one season, it's a lot, but if you lose today, tomorrow's a brand new game. You've got to forget about it," he said.

Arthur Banks, Marcus's father, a casino host at Caesars Palace, said he and his wife marvel at how much Marcus has matured.

"Marcus has always been a winner. The most Marcus has ever lost in any sport is where he is now, but he's matured so much, it's almost overwhelming for me and my wife (Sabrina)," he said. "He said they're losing games, but it's part of their development."

Boston Celtics' Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge drafted Banks, who led the league in steals per minutes played, for his ability to push the ball and for his quickness and defensive ability.

Ainge recently told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he still loves Marcus and said he's already one of the best defensive guards in the league, although Ainge picked a pair of guards in the NBA draft. He said this summer is crucial for Banks' development and that he needs to improve his shot.

Banks, who said the toughest players to guard were Stephon Marbury and Allen Iverson, said he tries to go to the gym at least twice a day to work on his outside shooting. He takes hundreds of shots each day and plays pick-up games whenever possible as well. He expects teammate Paul Pierce to come to Las Vegas to play later this summer, along with Baron Davis of the New Orleans Hornets.

Banks, who scored a season-high 28 points against the Atlanta Hawks this season and came up with a season-high seven steals against the Golden State Warriors, said he's looking forward to playing in the summer league.

"I just like playing basketball. It doesn't matter if it's here or in Boston. I just want to get better every day," he said. "I want to let the fans know I appreciate everything they do for me. I won't let them down."

Arthur Banks, who, along with Sabrina, went to close to 20 games in Boston this year, said it will be very special to have his son playing in his hometown and he expects a huge contingent of supporters to go to the games.

"I really think, with his conditioning this summer, he'll show a lot of people his capabilities this year," said Arthur, who was on Western's 1970 state champion basketball team. "Being a first-year player, he was going against guys who were his idols, but he'll be over that this year. He told me, 'Just wait until next year.' If he becomes a starter, I think he's going to make an impact."

Banks has already tried to make an impact on the community. He recently donated 50 pairs of shoes to the Doolittle Community Center, where he played youth basketball, and he also sponsors a pair of youth basketball teams.

He said his life hasn't changed much since he joined the NBA.

"I kind of stay to myself. I keep my little brother with me, my sister's husband and my two cousins, and that's it," he said. "All the time, all I do is play basketball anyway."


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