Jason Parker

07/06/03: "When Jason Parker was a Parade All-American in high school, no one imagined that he'd wind up playing for Chipola Junior College in some nowhere town such as Marianna, Fla. But that's exactly where the 6-foot-8 forward has landed. After being kicked off the University of Kentucky's team and being dismissed from school at South Carolina, Parker is looking for a third chance. Apparently, he's going to get it.

Parker, 23, has enrolled in summer school at Chipola, and if all goes well academically, he'll be back on the court this fall. Knee injuries halted his playing career before the 2001-02 season, and a violation of team policy resulted in his dismissal last summer. Parker never got caught up academically at South Carolina. "If he takes care of his classes, he'll be ready to go by the fall," Chipola coach Chris Jans said. "The doctors have given him a clean bill of health as far as his knee goes." Parker also must remove the rust from his game. He last played in 2000-01, when he averaged 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds for UK and made the Southeastern Conference's All-Freshman team.

There have been reports that former UK guard Rashaad Carruth might join Parker at Chipola, with both looking to a future at nearby Florida State. That doesn't appear likely, Jans said. "We're not deeply involved with Rashaad," he said. - Louisville C-J

08/30/02: "Sophomore center Jason Parker has been dismissed from the Kentucky basketball team Friday for violating athletic department policy. Neither athletic director Mitch Barnhart nor coach Tubby Smith would disclose the nature of the infraction. Parker, a Charlotte native, was a two-time Associated Press high school Player of the Year in North Carolina. He was originally going to play at North Carolina, but a dispute over college entrance exams landed him at Kentucky.

Parker was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team in 2000-01. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds, and had career highs of 22 points and 13 rebounds in the Cats' season-ending loss to USC in the 2001 NCAA tournament. Parker tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in June 2001. He was scheduled to return to action in January, but tore the ligament again in the locker room just before the team's first fall practice. He missed the entire 2001-02 season as a medical redshirt." - Assoc Press


08/27/00: "I liked (Kentucky) and I have a chance to start," Parker told Rivals100Hoops.com. "But, I've got to earn it." Parker said that he basically knew he was going to Kentucky while he was on UK's campus last week. Parker visited Kentucky last week and was scheduled to visit Wake Forest on Monday. Parker informed Wake today he would not make his visit tomorrow and is instead heading for classes on Monday at Lexington. Kentucky started classes last week. Parker was reportedly very impressed with coach Tubby Smith and the Wildcat situation and feels he in a situation where he can compete for a National Championship this season. It is expected that Jason Parker will be cleared by the NCAA to play this season. Parker is a great talent who would have helped any team he would have chosen. We agree with Jason that this makes the Wildcats right in the hunt for the Final-4 and a Championship." - ACC Recruiting Update

08/18/00: "The family of basketball star Jason Parker said its disputes a late Thursday night Internet report that said their son's qualifying ACT college board score has been invalidated. Fast Break Recruiting Internet, citing a source close to the family, said Jason Parker would have to sit out the 2000-2001 college basketball season and that the family is appealing the decision. J esse Parker, Jason's father, said the report is untrue and that the family has retained a local attorney to help stem the rumors about his son. "It is just an in-case type thing," he said Thursday night. "In a situation like this, I think you need an attorney. We want people to know Jason is not battling this by himself. "It's gotten to this point, and maybe people will stop spreading rumors as well." Jason Parker, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward, was denied admission by North Carolina after the NCAA invalidated his qualifying SAT score. Jesse Parker also said the family has ruled out Cincinnati as a possible school for Jason, and plans to visit Kentucky within the next three to four days. Jesse Parker said Michigan and Kentucky are the top schools on his son's list, though the family does not plan to visit Michigan." - Charlotte Observer

08/18/00: "The Cincinnati Bearcats and Kentucky Wildcats are involved in a furious, last-minute battle for the services of erstwhile North Carolina recruit Jason Parker. A 6-foot-9, 250-pound post player from Charlotte, N.C., Parker was denied admission to UNC earlier this week and thus had the letter of intent he signed with the Tar Heels invalidated. Dozens of programs immediately contacted Parker's family to persuade Parker to play basketball for them, but UC and UK are among the four schools left on his list. Parker's former coach at West Charlotte High, Goswell White, said Michigan and Wake Forest are the only other programs likely to be considered. Michigan is the only one of these schools Parker visited during his initial recruiting process. Parker plans to make a choice by Saturday. “I think he has the potential to be an impact player regardless of what situation he walks into,” said recruiting analyst Dave Telep, who rated Parker the No.5 player in the incoming freshman class. Until Monday, Parker thought he would be enrolling at North Carolina this fall. Then, UNC coach Matt Doherty informed Parker the school would not admit him. Parker's father, Jesse, told the Charlotte Observer that Jason's SAT score was red-flagged because of an inordinately high increase from his previous attempt. He said Jason also has a qualifying score on the ACT but UNC officials were concerned that score eventually would be challenged, also. But Parker has passed through the NCAA's eligibility clearinghouse and has been certified to compete for the 2000-01 season. Parker failed to qualify for eligibility this past season. He spent the 1999-2000 academic year at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia." - Cin Enq / Mike DeCourcy

08/17/00: "has hired an attorney to represent him in his dealings with the ACT standardized test and NCAA Clearinghouse. Currently, Parker is seeking a ruling on his qualifying ACT score. He has not been ruled ineligible per the NCAA. "We have about another two weeks for them to make a decision," Jesse Parker told Rivals100Hoops. "We have an attorney and he's going to represent Jason with the ACT." As of now, Parker remains certified and is eligible to play college basketball. In actively searching for an answer in regards to his ACT, Parker is essentially taking precautions against beginning the season at a school and having his test score questioned at a later date. When a score comes into question by the administers of the standardized test or the NCAA Clearinghouse, a student-athlete has a few options. One option is to retake the test without waiting for the next date the test is being offered. As in the case of Parker, he's gone another route and decided to offer a challenge. What he and his attorney will do is put forth a case justifying why the score should stand. Essentially, Parker is being the aggressor by asking the ACT for a ruling." - Rivals100Hoops

08/17/00:
http://www.charlotte.com/observer/sports/docs/parker0817.htm

08/17/00: "UC is looking into possibly recruiting Jason Parker, a 6-foot-8, 265-pound power forward from Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, who reportedly was denied admission by North Carolina on Tuesday.
If Parker, a serious low-post scorer, is eligible under NCAA rules, he could be eligible to play immediately. The University of Kentucky, Michigan and UCLA are recruiting Parker." - Cincypost.com

08/16/00: "North Carolina-Charlotte is no longer under consideration with Jason Parker. Cincinnati, Florida State, Kentucky, Michigan and Wake Forest remain in the hunt." - Rivals100 Hoops

By the way, Parker just turned 20 yrs old on Aug 10th, '00.

From Jan 99:
http://www.uncbasketball.com/jason_parker.html

08/15/2000: "Jason Parker, a North Carolina signee, will not be attending North Carolina next season. Parker, according to sources close to his family, has a qualifying test score and has asked UNC for his release. He will look at Michigan, UNC-Charlotte and Kentucky." - Rivals100Hoops.com

08/14/2000: "The Greensboro News and Record is reporting that North Carolina signee Jason Parker’s test score has been invalidated and he will not be eligible to play for North Carolina this season. The Charlotte native spent last season at Fork Union Military Academy working on his standardized test score. He also trimmed down and was expected to be a major contributor to the 2000-01 Tar Heels." - Rivals100Hoops.com

06/02/00: "6'8" Power Forward Jason Parker who signed a letter of intent with the North Carolina Tar Heels has received a qualifying score on his SAT per a press release issued today. Parker has been attending Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia this year in order to achieve his qualifying score." - ACC Recruiting

Date: 04/16/2000 13:08:00 PST
Commentary by: Jeremy Tiers of All Star Report
Jason Parker, a 6-9 250 lb., forward who will play his college ball at North Carolina was outstanding for the ACC squad last night in the Atlantic Coast - USA Hoops Challenge Game. This tenacious rebounder dominated in the paint, as he used his size out muscle everybody in the low post. Jason was named MVP for the game, and led the ACC team to a 126-123 victory in a game that went to double overtime. Parker finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. This past season he played at Fork Union Military in Virginia.

8/3/99: "Former West Charlotte High School star Jason Parker has learned he did not qualify academically to attend North Carolina and has decided to attend a Virginia preparatory school. After a year at Fork Union Military Academy, Parker plans to enroll in Chapel Hill next fall. He will have four years eligibility remaining. Parker's father, Jesse, said Tar Heels coach Bill Guthridge told the family he intended to honor the scholarship Jason signed last spring. Guthridge visited Jason in Charlotte for two hours Thursday. "It's disappointing," Jason Parker said. "I was looking forward to going [to Chapel Hill] this year. I'll just go to Fork Union and work hard and, hopefully, this year will go by fast and I will get my [grades] up while I'm there." Parker is a 6-foot-8, 265-pound power forward, who was a two-time North Carolina high school player of the year. He averaged 19.9 points and 11.5 rebounds for the Lions in the '98-99 season, leading them to a 30-2 record and the school's first N.C. 4A championship since 1992." - CNNSI / AP

04/13/99: "Jason Parker announced he is signing with North Carolina after considering UNCC as well. He had eliminated Michigan, Syracuse, Georgetown, and Virginia last week." - Insiders Report

04/12/99: "Jason Parker, a 6-8, 250-pound power forward from West Charlotte HS in NC, said before an All Star Game recently that he is primarily looking at UNCC and North Carolina. He is expected to return tonight from his official visit from North Carolina. Parker said there is a possibility he could commit there. Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe did not look happy after the Parker announcement. Virginia was also at the event. Syracuse is a longshot. Parker also told us he plans on making his decision in late April and may major in sports marketing in college. He prefers playing the power forward slot. Parker said he wasn't offended that only recently North Carolina offered a scholarship but he has yet to accept it because he isn't comfortable making a decision right now. Parker is averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds this season." - Insiders Report

04/07/99: "Jason Parker won't be playing in the NBA any time soon and there's a very good reason why. He isn't ready. And he's the first one to admit it. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound West Charlotte senior was named the Associated Press Player of the Year on Wednesday, earning 13 of a possible 15 votes from a panel of sportswriters statewide. Cliff Crawford of Winston-Salem Parkland received the other two votes. Parker shared the award with Asheville Roberson's Shawn Alexander in 1998 and said then he was considering going straight to the NBA out of high school. But he changed his mind after seeing other players his age struggle in the pros. "You can make more money by going to college," Parker said. "If you show and improve your skills for at least two years, you'll come out better. The way its looks right now, none of the high school players are doing too well in the NBA. I'd rather go to college and improve my game. "When I get there, I want to be ready. I don't want to ride the bench, I want to play." A week at an NBA camp in New Jersey last summer also left an impression on Parker. Pro players like Terrell Brandon, Travis Knight and Rick Mahorn had the same message for Parker and about 80 other prep stars. "They're all where I want to be in a couple of years so I had to listen to them," Parker said. "They said everyone should go to college and they said no one should skip right to the NBA. They said they don't think there are going to be any more Kevin Garnetts or Kobe Bryants." Parker has narrowed his college choices to Michigan, North Carolina and North Carolina-Charlotte. He'll announce his decision in late April or early May." - nchometeam.com / AP