University of Massachusets Athletics
Photo by: Chris Tucci - UMass Athletics
Former Minuteman Marcus Banks Jr. Signs Professionally in Slovakia
August 17, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Banks becomes UMass’ second player from the 2025-26 team to sign pro
AMHERST, Mass. – Marcus Banks Jr., who broke UMass' single-season 3-pointers record this past season, recently signed a professional contract with the Nitros Blue Wings out of the TIPOS SBL (Slovak Basketball League) in Slovakia. Banks finished second on the Minutemen in scoring last season, averaging 16.1 points per game, while knocking down 112 threes on 296 attempts, good for 37.8 percent.
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Banks joins Leonardo Bettiol as Minutemen to sign pro this summer. Bettiol signed with A.S. Pistoia Basketball 2000 in his home country of Italy.
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Banks was one of three UMass players to start all 33 games in his one season with the Minutemen. The graduate transfer scored double-figure points in 27 of the 33 games, eclipsing 20 points on eight occasions and 30 points two times. That happened when he scored 37 points against Central Michigan, which included 10 made 3-pointers (on 15 attempts), a new school record. Banks also scored 31 points against Ohio in the regular season finale.
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The 2026-27 UMass season begins on Monday, Nov. 2 at defending Sun Belt Conference Champion Troy, with a matchup against Boston College later that week on Friday, Nov. 6 at TD Garden in Boston. The home opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 11 against UMass Lowell.
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Season tickets are now available and can be purchased here. Fans can also click here to sign up for the program's annual golf tournament on Monday, Sept. 14 by clicking here.
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Banks joins Leonardo Bettiol as Minutemen to sign pro this summer. Bettiol signed with A.S. Pistoia Basketball 2000 in his home country of Italy.
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Banks was one of three UMass players to start all 33 games in his one season with the Minutemen. The graduate transfer scored double-figure points in 27 of the 33 games, eclipsing 20 points on eight occasions and 30 points two times. That happened when he scored 37 points against Central Michigan, which included 10 made 3-pointers (on 15 attempts), a new school record. Banks also scored 31 points against Ohio in the regular season finale.
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The 2026-27 UMass season begins on Monday, Nov. 2 at defending Sun Belt Conference Champion Troy, with a matchup against Boston College later that week on Friday, Nov. 6 at TD Garden in Boston. The home opener is set for Wednesday, Nov. 11 against UMass Lowell.
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Season tickets are now available and can be purchased here. Fans can also click here to sign up for the program's annual golf tournament on Monday, Sept. 14 by clicking here.
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