Banks Earns Preseason All-Sun Belt Honors in App State Debut Season

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Appalachian State men’s basketball junior guard Eren Banks received Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team recognition on Monday, as announced by the league office. The Georgia Southern transfer brings proven production and efficiency to the Mountaineers as they prepare for the 2025-26 campaign.

Proven Production and Elite Efficiency

Banks arrived in Boone following an impressive 2024-25 season with the Eagles, where he appeared in all 33 games while making a team-best 30 starts. He averaged nine points per game while posting career-high shooting percentages of 46% from the field and 39% from 3-point range.

His offensive efficiency ranked among the nation’s elite, with a 56.9% effective field-goal percentage placing him in the top 200 nationally according to KenPom analytics. The Eatonton, Georgia native recorded 13 double-figure scoring performances, including eight during Sun Belt Conference play.

Conference Excellence and Clutch Performances

Banks up his game against conference competition, averaging 10.6 points per contest to rank third among Eagles scorers in league play. His season-high 19-point outing came against Coastal Carolina on January 16, followed by a 16-point performance against Southern Miss in the Sun Belt Tournament and a 14-point effort versus Troy.

Beyond scoring, Banks showed well-rounded contributions, finishing second on the Eagles with 77 assists and 45 steals. His 2.7 steal percentage ranked among the nation’s best in 2024-25, showing his defensive impact and ability to create transition opportunities.

Continuing Program Excellence

Banks’ second-team selection extends an impressive streak for the Mountaineers, marking at least one Preseason All-Sun Belt honoree in every year of the Dustin Kerns era. App State leads the conference with three first-team All-Sun Belt selections since the start of the 2023-24 season, showing the program’s sustained excellence in developing elite talent.

Season Opener Approaching

The Mountaineers will tip off their 2025-26 season on November 3 at Central Michigan as part of the MAC-SBC Challenge. App State’s home opener at Holmes Convocation Center is scheduled for November 5 against Carolina University, providing fans their first opportunity to see Banks in a Mountaineers uniform.

Banks’ combination of scoring efficiency, playmaking ability, and defensive prowess positions him as a cornerstone piece for App State’s championship aspirations. His experience in high-pressure Sun Belt Conference games and proven ability to perform against quality competition suggests he’ll make an immediate impact in Boone.