James Banks' BIG impact in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine. - The Maine Celtics have seen their fair share of roster movement this season.

Whether it's been an injury, a call-up, an assignment, or any other roster transaction, Maine's front office and Head Coach Tyler Lashbrook's staff have navigated multiple different starting lineups throughout the Tip-Off Tournament and Regular Season. From January 18 to January 26, the Celtics lost four games in a row and fell to 6-9 in the Regular Season. One could think, maybe all of that roster movement was too much to overcome. Instead, key acquisitions have helped propel the Celtics to a 16-10 record , vaulting Maine towards the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

After Dmytro Skapintsev was traded to the Rip City Remix on January 17th, Maine was in the market for a big man. On January 23rd, the team brought in a familiar face, acquiring James Banks III with his Returning Player Rights. Banks appeared in 44 games for the Maine Celtics in 2023-24, helping Maine reach the NBA G League Finals for the first time in franchise history.

"Winning follows me," Banks said, and that's certainly been the case during his time in a Maine Celtics uniform. The big man has appeared in 13 Regular Season contests for Maine in 2025. The Celtics have won 10 of those games, including an eight-game winning streak that turned the team's season around.

"We went on an impressive streak, tying the longest ever for the franchise. It's been good," he said in a recent interview.

Banks has started all 13 of those games, averaging 6.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.8 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game. His value goes beyond the box score as a proven defender, and as a reliable veteran on and off the floor. Since joining the team, Maine ranks second in the G League in defensive rating (105.1) and they're fifth in blocks per game (6.7).

"Definitely good to have Banks come back," said Maine guard JD Davison. "Everyone knows he is going to play hard, rebound, block shots. He is one of the leaders of this team."

"It's been amazing," Banks added. "I feel like we picked up where we were last year. We have that same energy and same aura. We want each other to succeed and that's hard to find." 

Fans are happy to see Banks back in Portland as well. Custom jerseys with his name on them have been spotted around the Portland Expo. Banks is always eager to dive head first into community engagement, and enjoys taking extra time with the local fans before and after home games. Maine had a packed schedule with 11 home games during the month of January, but the Celtics are currently embarking on a nine-game road trip spanning four weeks. The team doesn't return home to the Expo until March 20th against the Osceola Magic. Banks said that even on the road, the team feels and appreciates the support from the fans.

"Tune in. We know you guys will be here showing up on the (March) 20th, but we try to carry Maine, we try to carry Portland on our shoulders the best we can. We carry you guys with us wherever we go and you being here when we get back is big time for us."

Banks has been well traveled since the Decatur, Georgia native came out of Georgia Tech in 2020. His other stops in the NBA G League include Texas and Birmingham. His international career has taken him around the world to Israel and Greece. Banks said that's given him a 'different taste of things,' and the 27-year-old believes it helps him appreciate being part of a strong locker room that Maine has right now.

"I haven't given the big, veteran, teary-eyed speech in the locker room yet saying, 'We got a good group of guys, cherish this.' Believe me, it's coming. You don't understand when you have a good group of guys at the time that it's special when you're going through it. Once you've experienced something different, where there isn't that synergy, you realize how grateful you are when it feels right."

He's been a big part of that strong team chemistry, helping Maine build on last year's success in their own way this season. Banks is one of five returners from the team that fell just one game short of a G League championship in 2024. That motivates him every day to continue to stack wins, and prepare for another deep run in the postseason.

"We've got to get further than we did last year and the only thing further than that is a championship." 

The Maine Celtics continue their road trip on Friday night in the first of a back-to-back slate against the Cleveland Charge.