Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Here is the detailed profile of Ken Bannister:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Kenneth Darnell Bannister
- Nationality: American
- Age: Born on April 1, 1960
- Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Height: 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters)
- Weight: 225 pounds (102 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
- Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
- Number: 31, 33, 45
- Position: Power forward / Center
- High School: Edmondson High School (Baltimore, Maryland)
- College: Saint Augustine’s University (North Carolina)
- NBA Draft: 1984, 7th round, 156th overall pick by the New York Knicks
- Teams Played For:
- New York Knicks (1984–1986)
- Los Angeles Clippers (1988–1991)
- Championship Rings: None
- Kids: Information about children is not widely documented.
- Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely available.
Player Archetype / Play Style
Ken Bannister’s player archetype was that of an energy big and interior enforcer, a rugged power forward-center who made his mark through physical play, rebounding, and hard-nosed work around the paint rather than polished shot creation. Listed at 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, he had the size and strength to bang inside, absorb contact, and fill a defensive role built on bodying opponents, contesting in traffic, and bringing a bruising presence to the frontcourt. Offensively, he fit best as a complementary interior piece who scored off hustle plays, finishes near the rim, and second-chance opportunities instead of serving as a featured post scorer or face-up threat. His overall play style was raw but forceful, with his “The Animal” reputation and physical edge reflecting a player whose value came from energy, toughness, and doing the dirty work inside. (Basketball Reference)
Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Ken Bannister Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Wikipedia — Ken Bannister
UPI — Clyde Drexler collected 25 points and 12 rebounds before…
Knicks City — The Zander Hollander Complete Handbook of the 1985-86 Knicks