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Jeff Carlisle
Multiple Authors
Marko Mitrovic first witnessed Noahkai Banks in August 2022, when Banks played for FC Augsburg‘s under-17 team against Bayern Munich. At the time, Mitrovic was managing the U.S. U19 men’s national team and was on the lookout for promising talent for then-U.S. U17 manager Gonzalo Segares.
Unfortunately, it was not a great outing for Banks; Bayern scored twice within five minutes, ultimately winning 5-1. Reflecting on that performance, Mitrovic described the then-15-year-old Banks as “Bambi on ice,” noting that he had yet to grow into his 6-foot-4 frame.
“His hands and legs were from four different bodies,” said Mitrovic, now coaching the New England Revolution.
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Mitrovic’s intention with that scouting trip was not just to evaluate Banks’ immediate potential, but to envision his future. Despite the rocky performance, Mitrovic noticed promising skills in Banks. He was particularly impressed with Banks’ passing and his tactical understanding of the game. It was clear that he possessed a remarkable soccer intellect, hinting at a bright future.
“While everything Banks attempted might not have been executed perfectly, his decisions on and off the ball were spot on,” Mitrovic remarked.
Ultimately, Mitrovic recommended Banks for the U.S. U17 team. This turned out to be a great decision, as 3½ years later, Banks is now a regular player for Augsburg and on the verge of earning his first international cap with the U.S.; he’s even in the running for a spot on the FIFA World Cup roster. Banks was called into a USMNT camp last September, although he didn’t see any game action. Nonetheless, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino referred to Banks as “a massive talent.”
As Banks lounges at Augsburg’s stadium, the winter chill in Germany looms outside—a day meant for staying cozy indoors, perhaps watching movies, a pastime Banks relishes. Yet, even amid a standout season where he has become a beacon of hope for Augsburg, his focus remains elsewhere. Currently, Augsburg sits in 11th place in the Bundesliga, and their top-tier status remains uncertain.
“We’ve got many games left, so I’m concentrating on our games now, and then we’ll see what happens in the summer,” Banks told ESPN in an exclusive interview. “At this moment, thinking about the World Cup or anything else isn’t my priority; our current situation is far more crucial.”
The Rise of “Noki”
Banks hails from Honolulu, born to a U.S. serviceman, Sedrick Banks, and Nadine, who has Spanish-German heritage. The family relocated back to Germany when Noahkai was just seven weeks old, splitting their time between Washington, D.C., and Germany. Soon after, Nadine and Sedrick separated, and she returned to Dietmannsried, a small town near the Bavarian Alps, while Noahkai continued to visit Sedrick, who now volunteers with youth organizations in the capital.
The nickname “Noki” comes from Nadine’s sister, Nicole, who liked the way it rhymed with “schoki,” which means “chocolate bar” in German. Now, the only time Banks is called Noahkai is when his mother is upset with him.
From a young age, Banks showed a passion for soccer, always with a ball at his feet. Whenever Nadine suggested a walk, he would race to the door with three soccer balls in tow. Whenever soccer aired on television, Banks was glued to the screen.
“[Noki] was just enthralled by soccer,” Nadine recalled. “I don’t know what it was.”
By the age of 8, Banks’ talent caught the attention of Augsburg, leading to a trial. This moment could have easily altered the course of his career. While some on the Augsburg staff were unsure about his potential, youth coach Daniel Pawlitschko recognized something special in young Noki.
“The scouts were hesitant, saying, ‘We’re not sure if he has what it takes,'” Nadine explained. “But Pawlitschko insisted, ‘No, I see something in him, and I want to keep him.’
Pawlitschko nurtured Banks through several age groups. Reflecting on his development, Banks expressed gratitude: “Because of him, I’m here. I’m extremely thankful for his guidance.”
Following that trial, Banks experienced a journey typical for many youth players in the U.S., including long drives to practice. Augsburg was a 90-minute commute from Dietmannsried, and Nadine made the trip three times a week with Banks and his baby sister. “My friends always remarked, ‘You must be insane. Why are you doing this?'” said Nadine.
Later, Augsburg provided bus transport, albeit still resulting in even longer trips—three hours each way. Nevertheless, sports ran deep in Banks’ family, motivating them to make these sacrifices.
Nadine was an enthusiastic basketball player in her youth, with aspirations of playing at the collegiate level in the U.S., until a third ACL tear derailed those plans. She later married Thomas Kinkel, who played and coached handball for over 35 years. Banks’ dedication contributed to his success. Coaches at Augsburg would assign players homework for when they weren’t practicing, and Banks—ever a perfectionist—would spend hours honing his skills in the backyard.
“There were many tears shed in our garden because of Noki,” Kinkel shared.
Banks is “cool under pressure”
Banks’ determination paid off as he matured physically. Kinkel noted that Banks’ shoulders had broadened to the point of resembling a “kleiderbugel,” or clothes hanger. Along with physical development came confidence, especially from playing against older opponents. By the 2024-25 season, Banks had made it to Augsburg’s first team, debuting on January 12, 2025, during a home match against VfB Stuttgart. He substituted for the injured Max Bauer after just 29 minutes and played well despite the team’s 1-0 loss.
“It was surreal, not only for me but also for my mom; she cried in the stands. My grandpa was there and cried too,” Banks recalled of his debut. “I never expected to come on in that match, and everything happened so quickly, I could barely process it.”
“But the day after was exhilarating—it felt like a dream.”
More tears of joy flowed last October when Banks scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg. His mother and stepfather were present for this significant milestone. Another unforgettable moment from that match was a quote from Augsburg’s sporting director Benni Weber, who praised Banks, saying he “pisses ice cubes” due to his remarkable composure on the pitch. This not only showcased Banks’ arrival as a Bundesliga player but also solidified his place in Augsburg’s lineup.
With the attention he is now receiving, it’s easy for Banks to fall into the trap of arrogance, especially considering his unique status as a 19-year-old Bundesliga starter, but he remains grounded, focusing on his club and family. He’s adamant that self-importance is not an issue for him.
“It’s pretty simple, actually; my mom would absolutely kill me if I didn’t stay humble,” he asserted. “Plus, the club atmosphere is very down-to-earth, almost like a family, leaving no room for arrogance.”
His avoidance of social media also helps keep his feet planted firmly on the ground, although Nadine occasionally updates their family group chat with posts.
“Avoiding excessive online content is crucial because when you’re performing well, everyone hypes you up, but when you play poorly, you’re labeled as the worst player ever, which can weigh on you,” he explained. “So, I constantly tell my mom to ignore those things because they might affect me.”
Yet, Banks acknowledges he still has significant areas to improve. He closely observes team captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw to learn the nuances that come only with experience.
“Witnessing [Gouweleeuw] during practice reveals some differences in our play styles,” Banks said. “He’s clever; for instance, he might let a striker run offside. Those are the kinds of things that develop with time, and I’m confident I can improve in those areas as well.”
Will early connections prove beneficial for the USMNT?
Banks’ association with the U.S. national team blossomed rather innocently. Segares recalls a meeting with Garrett Biller, the USSF’s talent identification manager for the central region, who mentioned, “We need to check out this kid from Germany.”
This led to Mitrovic’s trip to Germany, after which Banks began attending training camps for the U.S. U17 national team. His impressive passing immediately caught Segares’ eye, but it was Banks’ continuous improvement that amazed the coaching staff.
“Each time Banks returned to camp, he showcased something new, like dribbling past defenders and unlocking defenses,” Segares noted. “I had never seen a center back with such comfort in breaking through lines or executing phenomenal passes.”
Banks earned a spot on the team for the 2023 FIFA under-17 World Cup, where he was recognized as one of the squad’s standout players despite the team’s round of 16 exit after a 2-1 defeat to Germany, where Banks was sidelined due to yellow card accumulation.
He also won the hearts of his teammates in unique ways. In Segares’ squad, being late meant singing before the entire team, a punishment that Banks often endured, leading Segares to think he was intentionally tardy.
What did he perform? “There was a lot of Justin Bieber in there,” shared U.S. U17 teammate Pedro Soma, who now plays for San Diego FC. Segares also recalls a rendition of the 1980s hit “99 Luftballons” by German band Nena.
For years, the USSF has effectively showcased dual nationals to the U.S. program during their formative years. This approach helped secure loyalty from players like defender Sergiño Dest and midfielder Yunus Musah when alternative interest arose. Clearly, the USSF is once again playing the long game with Banks, as his U17 experiences have left a lasting impression.
“Upon receiving my first invite from the U.S., it was evident to me that I wanted to be part of it,” Banks stated. “Ever since, I’ve been thrilled with the U.S. program as I’ve made countless friends. To this day, we maintain contact, and the under-17 World Cup was immensely rewarding. My time with the under-20s has been fantastic, so I’ve always been eager to join the national team and reunite with my friends. Honestly, I never considered pursuing other options.”
That said, Germany has also reached out. Banks admitted there have been discussions, and the possibility of changing allegiances is always on the table, particularly since he hasn’t yet played for the U.S. in official matches.
However, Banks’ call-up in September reflects the ongoing recruitment efforts by the U.S. He considers Damion Downs and Alex Freeman his closest companions from this experience. He commended the welcoming nature of the team, mentioning veterans like Tim Ream, Christian Pulisic, and Tim Weah who included him in team dinners. Pochettino offered him valuable tactical advice from his own center-back days.
“I genuinely loved the camp because as a younger player, I feared the treatment might differ,” Banks admitted. “However, the way the players helped me integrate into the team and during training was truly phenomenal. The big names like Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah surprised me with their warmth.”
If Banks continues to improve, a monumental summer may lie ahead.