Not long ago, Adrian Banks lit up opponents each night on the hardwood as a member of the Northwest men's basketball team. Today, Banks is still lighting up opponents halfway across the globe.

A 6-foot-3 guard and native of Memphis, Tenn., Banks has excelled in basketball at all levels. 

Banks had a standout prep career at Trezevant High School where he was a three-time Best of the Preps and three-time all-district performer. He closed out his senior season averaging 22.8 ppg and in turn generated interest from major college programs such as Arkansas, Alabama, Arkansas-Little Rock and UAB among several others. 

Banks, however, landed in Senatobia and quickly made a name for himself.

A two-year standout guard for the Rangers, Banks started in all 67 career games during the 2004-06 seasons for head coach Bubba Skelton. An MACJC All-State selection and NJCAA Second Team All-American as a sophomore, Banks helped lead the Rangers to consecutive Region 23 championships, a combined 59-8 record and back-to-back Top 10 national rankings.

But with all the success of winning games, being a top scorer and gaining numerous accolades, Banks' best memory was a relationship that was formed.

"My best memory at Northwest was coach Skelton's son, Trey," Banks said. "He was like the little brother of the team and always supported me whether I had a good game or bad game. He loved seeing us every day and always kept a smile on his face that kept one on our whole team."

Banks ended his Northwest career averaging 16.4 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 steals-per-game and currently ranks sixth on the Rangers' all-time scoring list with 1,098 career points.

From there, Banks went on to star at Arkansas State where the accolades and the barrage of scoring continued for two years in Jonesboro.

Banks closed his collegiate career averaging 20.2 points, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals-per-game and shot an impressive 49 percent from the floor. He led ASU in scoring in 36 of 54 career games, set the school record for points in a season with 695 as a junior and is one of only three players to eclipse the 600-point mark in a season.

He again received multiple postseason honors as a member of the Red Wolves, including the team's Most Valuable Player, First Team All-Sun Belt Conference and the conference's Newcomer of the Year award as a junior.

With more continued success, Banks generated more interest as his senior year wrapped up.

"I started getting emails and Facebook messages from different agents asking me about my future," Banks said. "Once that started happening, I knew I at least had a chance to keep playing in the future."

Today, Banks is preparing to enter his fifth season playing European professional basketball.

Banks played for three seasons with Barak Netanya in Israel and two other teams in Belgium.  

He averaged 21.5 points, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals-per-game this past season and was the third-highest scorer in the Israeli National League in 2009.

Banks also led his team to the first round of the playoffs and participated in the Israeli All-Star Game where he won the slam dunk contest.

"Living abroad is good for me," Banks said. "I've always been that person that likes to be on their own. Being in Europe as an American will definitely leave you with a lot of alone time."

Banks spent this past summer playing on the Memphis Grizzlies' summer league team and saw action in a couple of games.

"The summer league with the Grizzlies was a chance for me to add to my resume for Europe," Banks said. "I just wanted to go train, play and see some of the best guys on that level and see where I am as a professional. I don't have those big NBA dreams like most guys. I will enter my fifth year playing abroad and I love it...it brings something new every year." 

With so much success as a 26-year-old, Banks still sees at least 8-10 more years of basketball.

"Before I finish playing the game, I just want to touch as many people as I can," Banks said. "Whether that be a fundraiser, camps for kids or even just talking to young people and telling them my story. I use the game as a way to help my family and those who are less fortunate in life."

Banks recently signed with Cimberio Varese in Italy on July 25 and the team begins play in October.

You can follow Adrian Banks on Twitter @iadrianbanks or visit his website at www.iadrianbanks.com.