Farmersville native Jurnei Banks is competing for the Russell Wilson Youth Athlete of the Year award. Photo courtesy Charla Craddock
By David Wolman
Farmersville native Jurnei Banks is competing for the Russell Wilson Youth Athlete of the Year award.
Banks has advanced to the quarterfinals.
Click on this link to vote for Banks: https://athleteoftheyear.org/2026/jurnei-69da
Voting ends at 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8.
The winner will be awarded $25,000 and represent 3Brand in Sports Illustrated and on CBS.
Banks has been playing flag football, basketball, track and field and soccer for the last four years and has been selected to play for an AAU basketball league that will begin play this winter.
She has been described as fearless, determined, coachable, and kind in her profile on athleteoftheyear.org.
Here is a question-and-answer session that Banks had with athleteoftheyear.org:
What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?
Jurnei loves being part of a team, learning new skills, and seeing what her body can do. Every practice is a chance to get a little faster, stronger, or more confident. She loves cheering for her teammates, celebrating everyone’s successes, and always leaves with a smile—even when she’s tired.
Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?
Jurnei is inspired by her mom, who was a college athlete. She loves hearing stories about her athletic journey and wants to break her records one day and be recognized the way she was. She knows if she continues to work hard, stay positive through challenges, and always encourage others it’ll make her standout. She hopes to grow up to be kind, brave, and someone who never gives up while always showing great sportsmanship.
What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?
One of my proudest moments was watching Jurnei encourage a teammate who was feeling discouraged during a game. Instead of focusing on herself, she celebrated others, kept everyone’s spirits up, and played with a joyful heart. That reminded me that sports are helping her become not only a better athlete, but also a kind and compassionate young person.
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