It was McNeal who first taught Banks how to shoot a basketball. But he had played enough playground ball himself to know that shooting was only part of the deal. He understood that toughness was important, too, and he was going to make sure his son had plenty of it.

"I played with older guys," said Banks. "I was little and they would push me around, but that's what my dad told them to do. That's the only way to get better. He told them, 'Don't take it easy on him just because he's little.' "

Banks, a 6-foot-2 freshman guard, has arrived at UC after a year at Laurinburg (N.C.) Prep Institute. He originally committed to Miami (Fla.) but had to attend prep school when he failed to get the test scores he needed to be eligible as a freshman.

The Bearcats are hoping he can help pick up the slack for departed long-range shooting specialists Tony Bobbitt and Field Williams.

That's a lot to ask of a freshman, but Andy Kennedy, UC's associate head coach, says Banks is up to the challenge.

"He's got more Steve Logan qualities than any player I've been here with," said Kennedy, referring to the former UC All-American, "meaning that he's very crafty. He knows how to score. He's got a real toughness to his game.

"He's got a real inner strength to him. It's just a matter of him learning things," Kennedy added.

Banks was named Mr. Basketball in Georgia while playing at South Atlanta High School in 2002-03, averaging 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Last season at Laurinburg, he averaged 23.0 points and 5.0 assists and shot 42 percent from 3-point range.

The soft-spoken Banks grew up in Thomasville Heights, an inner-city neighborhood he describes as "full of crime and distractions."

"I didn't let it get to me, though," he said. "I was known in the neighborhood because I used to go the court by myself in an apartment complex called Four Seasons. Everybody knew me, so I didn't hardly get bothered.

"The older cats in the neighborhood, they taught me how to be strong. Most of all, my mom and my dad taught me how to be strong. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, you've got to be strong."

Perhaps because of where he grew up, Banks learned to take nothing for granted. A lot of players show up for their freshman year in college already thinking ahead to the day when they might play in the NBA.

Not Banks.

"I won't think ahead like that, because anything can happen," he said. "I don't live in the future. I live day by day. Everybody knows tomorrow you might not be here. That's the way I think. Hopefully I can play in the NBA, but right now I don't look ahead like that. I'm only looking forward to the season."

During the first few days of practice, Banks has discovered that college basketball is just as demanding as he expected it would be. He said he already has been yelled at by UC coach Bob Huggins, but that it doesn't bother him.

"I already knew from the beginning how to deal with him," Banks said. "Whatever he's saying, he's saying to help you. I don't argue with him. I listen. I don't take it personally."

It's a good start and the proper attitude for a player the Bearcats need to flourish if they're going to succeed this season.

"I don't think his approach is going to be much different at 3 o'clock today at practice than it would be if we were playing Louisville in Freedom Hall," Kennedy said.

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com