As one of just a handful of teenage central defenders starting for clubs in Top 5 European leagues — a list that includes the likes of Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí and Manchester United’s Leny Yoro — Noahkai Banks could be feeling himself.
The Hawaii-born, Germany-raised youngster hadn’t even started a Bundesliga game when United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino invited him to his first senior team training camp last August. Since then, the 6-foot-4 Banks has been a mainstay in Augsburg’s starting lineup under two different managers; Sunday’s 2-0 loss to Mainz was his 17th appearance in the lineup in Augsburg’s last 18 matches.
How could this breakout season not go to his head?
“My mom would kick my ass if I’m not grounded anymore,” Banks told a small group of reporters Tuesday during a video conference. “So there is no chance of that.”
Christian Pulisic Still Out for AC Milan; Tim Weah’s Resurgence With Marseille | SOTU
Given the way Banks has acquitted himself on the field this season, it shouldn’t be surprising that his level of maturity away from the pitch is also unusual for a player his age.
Asked several times over the course of the 30-minute virtual roundtable about his World Cup ambitions, Banks downplayed them.
“It’s not the right moment to think about the World Cup for me, because we have a lot of games left here, and we want to win those,” he said of Augsburg, which sits just five points clear of the relegation zone in Germany’s top flight with 13 contests remaining. “A lot of players say it, but I really mean it. I really just focus on the games we have here. Then, let’s see what happens.”
(Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
He’s got a shot for sure.
While Pochettino can only name 26 players to the Americans’ World Cup roster this May, there’s an open competition in the heart of the USA’s backline. Crystal Palace standout Chris Richards seems like a lock. Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream is the other presumed starter, but is 38. Pochettino used a three-man setup in several friendlies last fall, which could open up another spot. Miles Robinson was the choice on the right side in those games, but Banks plays the same position and, based on his body of work over the last few months, could be an upgrade despite his youth.
Pochettino understands how much potential Banks has.
“He’s a massive talent,” the coach said upon calling him in for September exhibitions against South Korea and Japan. “You never know how he can explode — maybe at the end of the season he can be the best center back in Europe.”
“I read it,” Banks said. It’s a great compliment, but I know I have to work a lot to get there. I know I’m not there yet.”
A minor injury prevented Banks from making his senior debut in September. The 10 days he spent with the USA made a lasting impression nonetheless. Veterans like Ream, Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah went out of their way to welcome him to the squad, he said. Pochettino was hands-on during training sessions.
“[Pochettino] ese día era defensa central; conoce muy bien la posición”, dijo Banks sobre el técnico estadounidense, que representó a su Argentina natal en el Mundial de 2002. “Me ayudó con pequeños detalles como la posición y cosas así, pequeñas cosas que marcan la diferencia al más alto nivel”.
Hijo de padre militar estadounidense y madre germano-española, Banks vivió en el área de Washington DC hasta los “cuatro o cinco años”. Se mudó con su madre a Dietmannsried, un pueblo bávaro a unas 90 millas al suroeste de Munich, cuando sus padres se separaron pero regresaban regularmente a DC para visitar a su padre.
El rápido ascenso de Banks en los últimos seis meses ha alimentado la especulación de que podría representar a Alemania, cuatro veces campeona del mundo, donde sigue siendo elegible. Cuando se le preguntó si estaba en contacto con equipo El entrenador Julian Nagelsmann, Banks, no respondió directamente a la pregunta.
“Actualmente no se piensa en la conversión [to Germany] o algo así, porque estoy contento con Estados Unidos”, dijo Banks.
Por ahora, simplemente disfruta del viaje y de la posibilidad de representar a Estados Unidos. Ha representado a Estados Unidos en las categorías Sub-19 y Sub-20. Añadió que jugar para Estados Unidos en la Copa Mundial Sub-17 de la FIFA en 2023 fue “una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida”.
“No esperaba jugar tanto [this season] “Para ser honesto”, dijo Banks. “Pero los entrenadores me han dado mucha confianza… hasta ahora ha sido un gran año para mí”.
Este verano podría ser aún mejor.
