The essence of a true player is their heart and determination to succeed and play hard even when there isn't a big crowd watching or your not getting a lot of notoriety; you just play on because of the love of the game. Nine times out of ten that will lead to bigger and better things.

Such is the case for this player who played at a small school her first three years off varsity basketball, the notoriety wasn't there around the state of Georgia but bigtime programs saw her essence during the summer AAU season and the best of the bigtime school UCONN came knocking and she answered the call.

The player with this essence is Brianna Banks. Banks will be playing her senior season this year at Fayette County H.S. after transfer from Northgate High School.

L.A.: Tell the "Other" players your full name, that way when they get schooled they will remember who schooled them?
Brianna: Brianna Jhane' Banks

L.A.: Just in case they can't remember you full name, do you have a nickname we can throw at them?
Brianna: Bri

L.A.: What school do you attend and what is your school classification (freshman, sophomore etc.)?
Brianna: Fayette County High School/Senior to be

L.A.: Which AAU program do you play for in the summer?
Brianna: Essence Purple

L.A.: Are you originally from Atlanta, GA, if not where are you from?
Brianna: I was born in Germany and have lived in South Carolina, California, Oklahoma and the last 8 years in Georgia

L.A.: Who have been some of the most influential people in your life?
Brianna: My mom, Terrell Miller, my god-father (Mark Jones), all my AAU coaches and TJ Royals, my trainer

L.A.: What has been one of the most memorable moments in your athletic career so far?
Brianna: Having my first consistent all around tournament in California (West Coast Spring Inv) hosted by West Coast Premier.. I feel like I had a good tourney from start to finish..

L.A.: Is there any game that you have played in that you would most like to forget?
Brianna: No, not really I use all of my games good or bad as a learning tool to make me better..

L.A.: Who has been one of the toughest players you ever had to play against and who is the best high school player you personally have ever seen?
Brianna: Brianna Jordan from West Coast Premier is one of the best players I have seen and Cierra Burdick is probably the best I've played against.

L.A.: Tell me something about yourself that people wouldn't know by just looking at you?
Brianna: I'm music fanatic and I'm very goofy and fun to be around

L.A.: You have already committed to UCONN, what really swayed you about the Lady Huskies?
Brianna: Their dedication day in and out to working hard and the coaches/team chemistry

L.A.: Do you get special treatment at home because you play sports?"
Brianna: Uh, NO!!!!! My mom is a firm believer in to whom much is given, much is required..

L.A.: Can you cook, and I don't mean boil an egg (laugh)?
Brianna: (Ha! Ha!) I Wish I make some mean Ramen Noodles though

L.A.: You will be attending Fayette County H.S. for your senior season and I got a sneak preview of next year's team in Clayton State Summer League, how excited are you about next season?
Brianna: I'm very excited and look forward to our season

L.A.: Which subjects do you like most and which do you like least?
Brianna: I love Math and dislike Language Arts

L.A.: Which part(s) of you came are you going to be working on this summer?
Brianna: Going right, my stop and pop, and of course just continuing to increase my Basketball IQ.

L.A.: If you could change anything in the world today what would it be?
Brianna: World Peace (I just wish we could all just get along and love one another)

L.A.: Ok keep it real now; do you use the fact that you are an athlete to sometimes get your way?
Brianna: (laugh) Yea!!! And any athlete that says they don't isn't tell the truth (LOL).

L.A.: How does summer ball (AAU) differ from the regular season and do you like playing AAU ball more?"
Brianna: I love playing AAU ball more than High School. During the summer you play against the best of the best and most of the time, your teammates are on or at least close to the same skill set. You can get a better assessment of where your skill set truly is.

L.A.: What do you want to do after your basketball career is over?
Brianna: I plan to go into Sports Management and eventually coaching.

Inquiring minds want to know

What I love about Banks' game is that its not all about scoring points, she is also a very tough defensive player.

Which one of these players would you start a team with; Kobe Bryant, Lebron James or Dwayne Wade? LeBron

Who would you like to play next to; Candice Parker, Diana Taurasi or Maya Moore? Diana Taurasi

Who has the best sports gear; Nike, Rebook, Adidas ort Under Armour? Nike

Who's music would get you more hyped before a game; Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy or Ludacris? Lil Wayne

Which of these cities would you most like to live in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami or Atlanta? LA

What would you prefer to roll in; Mercedes, BMW, Lexus or a Range Rover? Lexus

Which super hero's powers would you like to have; Superman, Iron Man or the Hulk? Superman

Who would make a better basketball player; Chris Rock, Martin or Eddie Murphy (lol)? Martin

Who is a better performer; Janet Jackson, Beyonce or Alicia Keys? Beyonce

Who's the better actor; TI, Tyrese, Snoop Dog or Ice Cube? TI

L.A.: What type of music do you like and do you have a favorite artist or group?
Brianna: R&B/Trey Songz

L.A.: What is your favorite TV Show and Movie?
Brianna: Spongebob, Squarepants /Love and Basketball

L.A.: If you could meet anyone in the world (past or present) who would it be and why?
Brianna: Candace Parker; She's my idle. She's a triple threat: She's a baller with brains and beauty,

L.A.: Brianna, It has been pleasures watching you grow, as a player and most of all as a young lady. Keep working hard and as you always have; stay humble. Would you like to make any shout outs?
Brianna: To my besties Lindsay Knox and Khristina Wells, all my Essence teammates, my family, and new HS teammates at Fayette County High!!!!

If you want to do a little stret talking just  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This is Larry "L.A." Williams ...PEACE and God bless!