Red Wolves - IU East

FLOYD KNOBS, Ind. - The newest Indiana University East men's basketball signee already knows his way to Richmond.

Cody Banet, a 6-4 senior at Floyd Central High School, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Indiana University East.

Red Wolves coach Mark Hester announced the signing April 20 after a ceremony at Floyd Central High School - located on a street that becomes Banet Road.

IU East's coaches first saw Banet when Floyd Central played in Richmond High School's Bob Wettig Tournament in December.

"We had heard about him," Hester said. "He was so far away, but the Wettig tournament offered us a chance to see Cody, and we really liked what we saw.

"We're really excited to get him. He brings a variety of things to the table with his high basketball IQ."

Banet (pronounced "ban it") averaged 15 points per game, four rebounds per game and two assists per game to lead the Highlanders to a 15-8 record this past season.

Hester hopes Banet can play a role similar to the one All-American guard Tyler Rigby currently performs for the Red Wolves - a fundamentally-sound guard with all-around skills.

"Cody is another guy you've got to guard, got to pay attention to," Hester said.

"His ballhandling allows him to get a defensive rebound and push the ball on his own. Defensively, he'll scrap and take charges and do the type of things he'll need to do to see minutes."

Banet plans to major in business, with an eye toward a career as a representative for a business or as an agent.

He also considered Indiana University Southeast, Hanover College and St. Joseph's College.

"I went back and forth and back and forth," Banet said. "And IU East definitely felt right.

"I liked that the campus was newer, and I liked the players and Coach Hester. Since it's a new program, it made me want to go there and help build something."

Banet liked the team-first attitude he saw when he worked out with IU East's players.

"The whole style emphasizes playing together, and I'm a team player more than anything," Banet said.

Cody is the son of Rex Banet and Amy Banet.

Banet joins Ian Enriquez of Lake Station, Sean Stevens of Newburgh and Justin Gill of Munster in IU East's 2010 men's basketball recruiting class.

"It's nice all of our kids are from different parts of the state," Hester said. "We're going to make a name for ourselves and build a fan base in different areas of the state."

PHOTO: Front row from left, Amy Banet, IU East coach Mark Hester, Cody Banet, Rex Banet. Back row from left, William Pierce (Floyd Central Activities Director), Charlie Jenney (Floyd Central JV coach and Cody's brother) and Randy Gianfagna (Floyd Central head coach).