Bannister Heading to AIC
One of the hottest names of latest summer was that of OShawn Bannister, a long and athletic six-foot-nine big man from Weaver High School in Hartford who came out of the woodwork to emerge as an under the radar big man.
Blessed with length and mobility that can't be taught, Bannister generated quite a buzz that began at Hoop Mountain Super Week II and continued throughout AAU nationals at the end of the month.
Bannister continued to intrigue coaches from a variety of levels of college basketball this fall and winter. While still relatively new to the game, he was already a force on the defensive end of the floor and had the raw offensive tools to suggest he could eventually develop his game on that end of the floor as well.
Now, Bannister's potential will have a new home for the next five years after a recent commitment to American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Bannister will reportedly take next year as a red-shirt year before having four full years of eligibility beginning in the fall of 2012 and if he can continue to develop his body and basketball skills he has a chance to be a difference maker with a combination of size and physical tools that aren't often seen at the division II level.
OShawn Bannister