J. C. Banks
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Jimmy Christopher Banks, Jr. | ||
Date of birth | August 24, 1989 | ||
Place of birth | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | ||
Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
Playing position | Forward | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Minnesota United | ||
Number | 29 | ||
Youth career | |||
2007–2010 | UW–Green Bay Phoenix | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2009 | Madison 56ers | 3 | (0) |
2010 | Chicago Fire Premier | 9 | (1) |
2011–2014 | Rochester Rhinos | 89 | (17) |
2015– | Minnesota United | 44 | (4) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 1, 2016. |
Jimmy "J. C." Banks (born August 24, 1989 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Minnesota United in the North American Soccer League.
Career
College and amateur
Banks attended Riverside High School, where he was a four-time All-Conference, played in the Region II Olympic Development Program, and played club soccer for FC Milwaukee, before going on to play four years of college soccer at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. At Green Bay he was the Horizon League all-newcomer team as a freshman in 2007, was the 2009 Horizon League Player of the Year, and was a 2010 All-League First Team and All-Great Lakes Second Team selection.
During his college years Banks also played for the Madison 56ers in the National Premier Soccer League and Chicago Fire Premier in the USL Premier Development League.[1]
Professional
Banks was drafted in the first round (8th overall) of the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by Toronto FC,[2] but was not offered a contract with the MLS team.
After trialing with several clubs in Europe, including Swedish side BK Häcken,[3] Banks signed with USL Professional Division club Rochester Rhinos. He made his professional debut on April 15, 2011 in Rochester's season opening game against the Richmond Kickers,[4] and scored his first professional goal on April 23 in a 3-2 win over the Dayton Dutch Lions.[5] He was selected as the Rhinos' rookie of the year following his first professional season. Rochester re-signed Banks for the 2012 season on October 25, 2011.[6] He was voted the Rhinos' MVP after the 2012 season, tallying 5 goals and a league leading 8 assists.[7] He again received this honor in 2014 after totaling 3 assists and a career high 9 goals.
On December 11, 2014 Minnesota United FC announced that they had signed Banks.[8]
Personal
J. C.'s father, Jimmy Banks, played soccer for Milwaukee Wave and with United States men's national soccer team at the 1987 Pan American Games and in qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup.
References
- ↑ United Soccer Leagues (USL)
- ↑ JC Banks Selected 8th in MLS Supplemental Draft by FC Toronto, Seeks Opportunities to Play Abroad
- ↑ Banks shooting for Swedish contract
- ↑ United Soccer Leagues (USL)
- ↑ United Soccer Leagues (USL)
- ↑ United Soccer Leagues (USL) Archived May 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.mnunitedfc.com/news/detail/uuid/mru8dv5ftcaz1iwabp5qmxf1c/united-signs-jc-banks