Ten years ago this week finds Kentucky landing an unlikely and much needed big man. Jason Parker, a two-time North Carolina high school player of the year, arrived in Lexington 10 years ago with plans to suit up for Coach Tubby Smith and the Big Blue. Parker had originally signed with the North Carolina Tar Heels only to be denied admission at the last minute, making him a "free agent" so to speak.
Please click read more below to view the entire article from August 28, 2000 titled DAD SAYS PARKER TO PLAY FOR UK, BIG MAN FLEW IN YESTERDAY.
Former Parade High School All-American Jason Parker has joined Kentucky's basketball program, his father said last night.
"He's in Lexington," Jesse Parker said. "He flew in tonight."
Jason Parker, a two-time North Carolina high school player of the year, originally signed with North Carolina. His dream of playing for the Tar Heels crumbled when the school refused him admission.
UK was one of several schools that rushed in to offer a scholarship. Jason Parker, a 6-foot-8, 250-pound power forward/center, chose Kentucky after he visited the UK campus last week. He also considered Wake Forest.
"The university (of Kentucky) is going to make a statement tomorrow," Jesse Parker said.
Jason Parker became available in the wake of questions concerning his freshman academic eligibility.
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) invalidated his score that qualified him for eligibility. It reportedly represented a 45-percent increase on any of his previous SAT scores.
He had a qualifying score on the American College Test (ACT). But it is not known if that score also will be invalidated.
North Carolina has never accepted a partial qualifier to it's men's basketball program. It was not known last night if Jason Parker will be eligible this coming season at UK or have to sit out a season as a partial qualifier.
He visited UK last week to see the facilities and to learn more about how he might be used on the team. His father found UK's contingent of three center/forwards (Marvin Stone, Jules Camara and Marquis Estill) as acceptable.
That's not that many," the elder Parker said. "Most schools have a least four."
