Ali Banks Season 2026

#9
PositionIF/OF
Weight185 lbs
Height6-1
YearJunior
HometownStone Mountain, Ga.
Previous SchoolGeorgia Highlands JC
High SchoolParkview
Bats/ThrowsR/R
HS Grad Class2023
MajorCommunications
Ali Banks Headshot Fall 2025

BEFORE PURDUE
Played his first two collegiate seasons (2023-24) at Georgia Highlands College in Cartersville
Athletic utility man was a two-year starter who played all over the field, helping GHC compile a combined 101-22 record
Hit .379/.503/.534 across 309 at-bats over the two seasons, recording 33 XBH, 93 RBI, 109 runs and 37 stolen bases
Batted .429/.552/.599 with 18 XBH, 49 RBI and 13 steals in 2025
Played in the 2024 NJCAA Division I World Series, starting all five games in left field and hitting a three-run homer in a victory vs. eventual national champion Blinn College
Also reached base safely three times in a World Series win against Purdue teammate Sam Flores’ McLennan CC team
Finished his freshman season with a .333/.455/.475 slash line, 15 XBH, 44 RBI and 24 steals
Helped GCH win consecutive Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association and NJCAA Region 17 Tournament titles

HIGH SCHOOL
Lettered for coach Chan Brown at Parkview High School in Lilburn on the east side of Metro Atlanta
Second Team All-County as a senior
Helped Parkview win 30 games and the 2021 GHSA Class 7A state title as a sophomore
Started both games of the championship series sweep of North Paulding HS at Truist Park
Leadoff man as an upperclassman as Parkview was a state finalist again in 2023 and final four qualifier in 2022, winning 30 games both years

PERSONAL
Major: Communication
Full name is Ali Jamaal Banks
Born in Atlanta, Georgia
Parents are Anwar Banks and Jesscena Essuon
Family also includes siblings Ava Banks, Jabari Daniely, Kyrie Essuon and Champion Essuon
Ali is the father of a daughter, Alina, born in June 2025
Cousin Tim Beckham was the No. 1 pick in the 2008 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays and also played for Baltimore, Seattle and Minnesota during his career
Grandparents Delores Aldrige and Kwame Essuon are Purdue Alumni
Grandpa Donald Sewell played football for the Miami Dolphins and Georgia Tech