IMG Academy Standout Anticipated A Future In Rugby, But Injuries Changed Ruben Banks' Course

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

IMG Academy FL senior Ruben Banks knows it will take everything he has to win his first New Balance Nationals Indoor championship this weekend in the weight throw. 

Win or lose, the Arkansas signee never expected to get quite this far. He was born and raised in England and always thought his success in sports would come from rugby. 

“I came to IMG after tearing my ACL playing rugby. I noticed they had a track and field program and ridiculous facilities,” he said. “Post-surgery, I decided to pursue track and field due to the lack of contact, in addition to my prior success in the sport.” 

Banks' earliest memories of throwing go back to the age 7 when he put shots out of a grass circle for his prep school’s annual sports day. At age 14, he tried his hand in the 100-meter dash, 400 meters and long jump, before returning to his specialty in the throws.

The senior comes from an athletic family. 

“My father owns a very successful basketball club in London,” he explained. “My twin brother Ryan is currently playing at Kimball Union in New Hampshire. My older brother Robert plays Divison 1 basketball at the University of Cincinnati.” 

His two sisters are avid horse riders across the pond in England.

Banks has been at IMG since the fall of 2017, the longest of any athlete on the Ascenders track and field roster. Over that time he has blossomed into one of the best throwers in the country.  

“I have grown so much in the last two years,” he said. “Finding a routine, finding the right exercises for throwing, my throwing style, and, most importantly, mental improvements. Kibwe (Johnson) is my mentor in and out of the circle.” 

Johnson is a good mentor to have. The two-time Olympian is one of the most decorated hammer throwers in the United States.   

“His experience and wisdom have been a tremendous help,” he said. 

With New Balance Nationals Indoor right around the corner, Johnson has his star pupil on a peaking program in the weight room, to get his body physically ready to compete at a high level. 

“We’ve been doing lots of turns, typical weight room lifts, nothing too fancy,”Johnson said. “There is also a bit of a psychological component to the championship season."

Banks has overcome a series of injuries in his career. In addition to tearing his ACL before attending IMG and missing his freshman season, he dislocated his shoulder in November.

“I’ve been preparing for this weekend with REST as well,” he said.” I have been brushing up with my weight technique. It’s been a fresh program for the last two weeks. I call it my peaking program, my cash-money cycle.”

Banks has goals of “cashing in” at his first New Balance Nationals competition. His personal best of 76-8.50 (23.38m) is currently fifth in the country. His chances of winning a national title became a little easier when the nation’s leading thrower, Trey Knight of Ridgefield High in Washington, and the only athlete in the field to throw over 80 feet this year, chose not to make the trip to nationals. 

“Kibwe and I haven't discussed a plan for the competition,” he said. "He tends to leave these type of decisions to me but offers guidance if I require. My game plan would just be to get it done early."

Johnson anticipates it will be close.  

“The top four to five guys are within 12 inches of one another, so that will make for one heck of a competition” Johnson said. “It all comes down to who will bring it on that day. Our goal is to win. Ruben’s ready to go and is in the best physical shape he’s been in all season.”