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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL he's been at Penn State for more than a year now, but as far as Lady Lion basketball fans are concerned, Bri- anna Banks is a newcomer. In truth, Banks has been feeling that way herself as she begins her one and only season in Uni- versity Park. "It's really frustrating at times because I feel like I'm not ad- justing as fast as I need to and want to," she said. "I want to be able to help this team and impact them as much as I can, so it is frustrating. But I'm learning." Banks, a 5-foot-9 sen- ior guard, joined the Lady Lions last year af- ter spending her 4rst three seasons at Connecticut. She was able to practice with her new team but had to sit out its games in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. She's eligible now, though, and de- spite her concerns about being ready for action, coach Coquese Washington en- visions her "making a big impact." "She's an explosive, dynamic player and she impacts both ends of the 5oor," Wash- ington said. "I de4nitely see her right away being someone who's going to play a big role for us and be an impact player for us." That's exactly what happened in Penn State's exhibition opener against California (Pa.), as she went 8 of 14 from the 5oor and 4 of 5 from the line, 4nishing with a game-high 20 points and adding six re- bounds, four assists and two steals. Banks admitted she was "a little bit nervous" prior to her Penn State debut, but it didn't show. Indeed, Washington saluted Banks and junior forward Kaliyah Mitchell for bringing "veteran calmness and poise and presence that we want them to have out there." Banks, she added, "has played a lot of basketball, being a 47h-year senior." Banks didn't play quite as much bas- ketball as she wanted at Connecticut, largely because of an ACL injury that cut short her sophomore season. In announc- ing her transfer, she conceded, "I need a fresh start." The Fayetteville, Ga., native came o6 the bench her 4rst two seasons with the Huskies and was having a strong sopho- more year before her right knee was injured in a game at St. John's in February 2013. She bounced back from the injury and ended up starting eight early-season games as a junior, but her playing time diminished as the season went on. All told, she played in 90 games in her three seasons with the Huskies, averaging 4.4 points and 1.4 re- bounds. Banks was a part of two national cham- pionship seasons at Connecticut, and Penn State will be looking to capitalize on the experience she gained while a S NO TIME TO WASTE Transfer guard Brianna Banks to play a major role in her one season at PSU | BANKS

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