Ali Banks Season 2026

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