Murray State University Athletics
Racers sign big man Curtis Parker
11/17/2005 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Shelton has been on the Racers' list of potential recruits for some time, and this week signed a National Letter of Intent to play for Murray State next season as a junior.
Racer head coach Mick Cronin said Parker was a priority for him and the Racer staff from the first time they saw him play.
"We're thrilled to sign Curtis Parker; he is big, has great hands and can run and jump," Cronin said. "Most athletic players don't have his width and strength. He is a versatile big man that we needed to add after Pearson Griffith and Charles Johnson graduate."
Parker played as a freshman for Shelton State head coach Barry Mohun, and is one reason why the Buccaneers advanced to the National Junior College Tournament last spring, where they finished eighth in the country with a 30-8 record. Parker averaged 11 points per game and grabbed seven rebounds per outing.
"We had a sophomore that went down late in the season," said Mohun. "Curtis came in and took over and was a key for us making the national tournament. He does a lot of things well."
As a prep player from Charles Henderson High School, Parker was named Alabama All-State and was named to the Alabama North-South All-Star Team.
Recently, Parker was named the Pre-Season Region Player of the Year, and in the first four games Shelton State has played this season, Parker is averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game.
"Once I learned about the winning tradition of Murray State and met the coaches, including Darren Savino, I knew that was the place I wanted to be," said Parker.
"He's a very good player. I'd say he could be a nationwide top-25 JcCo player right now," said Mike Mitchell of Midwest JuCo Report. "In the south, he is one of the top 10 or 12 players.
"In that league (Alabama Junior College Athletic Conference), he'll average a double-double for sure. He has a great upside: he's still learning the game."
Cronin was impressed with the situation Parker is in at Shelton State.
"His team made the national tournament last spring, so he is in a winning program, and they have an excellent coach in Barry Mohun," Cronin said. "Curtis is a fun young man to be around and will be a good fit with the rest of our players. Darren did a tremendous job in recruiting Curtis, and is to be commended for his efforts."
Parker joins Daniel Ard (6-6, F, Benton, Ky./Marshall County HS), Brandon Evans (6-1, G, Jackson, Tenn./Liberty Tech HS) and Jay-R Strowbridge (6-1, G, Ardmore, Ala./Sparkman HS) as players who will join the squad in the fall of 2006.
Cronin and staff have completed this recruiting class.
"The four young men that have chosen to attend Murray State University are excellent people and promising basketball players," Cronin said. "My assistants -- Darren Savino, Chris Goggin and Matt Grady -- have done a terrific job this year on the recruiting front. This is a very important class for us with five seniors graduating, and we needed a big recruiting year, so we are very pleased.
"We have one scholarship remaining and only two juniors on the roster, essentially giving us three spots to fill in two years. This should allow us to be very meticulous in recruiting, which can lead to great results."
