Payton Banks Will Transfer From Penn State

Following a highly disappointing finish to the hoops season, there was plenty of speculation that there would be some transfers out of the program. Sure enough, Isaiah Washington and Terrence Samuel announced their departures last week and now you can add Payton Banks to the list of transfers, according to an official announcement from Pat Chambers.

As the sixth man for the Lions, Banks averaged 10.4 points this season, including 2.3 three-pointers per game. On a team devoid of a true perimeter shooting threat, Banks was the most consistent of the bunch from downtown, nailing 73 of his 202 attempts (that’s 36.1% for you math majors reading this). On his best days, Banks was doing things such as coming off the bench at Illinois to score 24 points (including nailing three consecutive treys in the first half to boost PSU’s lead) en route to a season sweep of the Illini. On his worst days, Banks was shooting blanks and was a virtual non-factor, which especially stung in close losses which left you wondering “if only...”

It remains to be seen who will ultimately replace Banks’ perimeter shooting ability, perhaps that guy is incoming freshman Trent Buttrick, or perhaps the staff will land somebody from the JUCO or grad transfer market. Regardless, Banks will leave PSU with a degree in hand come May or August, so he deserves congrats for that, along with the usual best wishes in all of his future endeavors.