Rogers State University Athletics

About: Banton returns to the Hill for his senior season following a 2013-14 campaign where he appeared in all 26 games playing nearly 20 minutes a contest off the bench. The Jamaica, N.Y., native ranked fourth in scoring for the Hillcats, averaging 10 points per game reaching double figures 10 times, including a 34-point outburst in RSU's home finale against Oklahoma Panhandle State. The total ranks second all-time in single-game scoring and earned Banton Heartland Conference Player of the Week honors. He joined the Hillcats after spending two seasons at Lakeland Community College (Ohio) where he played under Head Coach Terry Bowe. During his sophomore campaign, Banton averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game, helping the team to a 15-game winning streak and a conference championship while serving as team captain. A two-time All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) selection, Banton was recognized as Lakeland’s Male Athlete of the Year as a sophomore. He led the Lakers to their first conference title in 18 years and their third-straight appearance in the district championship game. As a freshman, Banton helped Lakeland defend its 2011 District Title and advance to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.  LCC advanced to the national semifinals and finished fourth in the country. In his two years at LCC, Banton went 51-15 overall and left Lakeland with the third-most wins in program history. Off the court, Banton was a dean’s list student in the fall of 2011 and spring of 2013 and was a three-time S.T.A.R. student-athlete. As a sophomore, he was one of just six men’s basketball players in the OCCAC to be named to the All-Academic Team for achieving a 3.3 GPA or higher during the 2012-13 season. The son of Haly Miles and George Banton, he said he chose RSU because "it was the best and most comfortable opportunity with good coaches."