Dean MVP of Banks visit
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AUBURN | Mt. Vernon Christian School (Stockbridge, Ga.) Rivals150 center James Banks visited Auburn on Saturday and met with a man he had hoped to meet.
It was Christopher Roberts, dean of Auburn's College of Engineering.
"That made it a really good day," Banks said. "It made my trip. I really enjoyed meeting with him."
Banks, his uncle and Auburn assistant Tony Jones all met with Roberts.
"We met with the dean of Engineering," Banks said. "That's a big deal to me. He talked about the education there at Auburn and the positive effect it can have on my future.
"Mr. Roberts said the day before I got there that they received a $30-million check just for the College of Engineering. That is a really big deal. It was just a great meeting. It went really well. Mr. Roberts did a lot for my trip."
Banks, ranked the No. 101 player in the 2016 class, didn't get to spend as much time in Auburn as he wanted. The four-star prospect had to cut his visit short in order to return home for a high school prom.
Still, he was pleased with what he did get to see and hear, and not just from Roberts.
"I got there that morning and met with Coach Jones and then met Coach (Chuck) Person and the rest of the staff," Banks said. "Then I had a meeting with Coach Pearl in his office.
"I sat in the office with Coach Pearl and he showed me how my play compared to others and also stats of what he has done in the past with bigs (forwards/centers), how they get the ball into the post. I liked meeting with Coach Pearl, too."
Banks plans to meet again with Pearl. He hasn't set a date for a return trip, but plans to soon. The Tigers impressed him.
"I just love the spirit at Auburn, the spirit that Coach Pearl and his staff brings," Banks said. "It is very family-oriented and very laid-back. I loved talking to Mr. Roberts and all he had to say. I love Coach Pearl and his personality. He seems like a guy I'd like to play for.
"Saturday was just a great experience overall. I felt really comfortable there at Auburn, really comfortable. Auburn is a great place."
And its basketball program is on the rise.
"Coach Pearl's track record and his attitude tells me that if he gets the right guys in there, he will absolutely turn that program around," Banks said. "I really like Auburn, Coach Pearl and his staff and what they have going on there at Auburn."
Banks is considering being a part of it.
"I haven't really started narrowing it down, but Auburn is a great place to be and they are definitely in the hunt," Banks said.
Banks plans to announce his commitment in November.
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Banks' sophomore highlights…
