By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Like his stats, Mychal Parker’s stock as college prospect continues to rise every year. The 6-7 scoring machine is in the midst of a summer-long country-wide tour that would make the Rolling Stones jealous.
His first stop was in Virginia, where he played in three camps that resulted in winning another of his many MVP awards, as well as a scholarship offer.
Next up for Parker will be a Reebok All-American Camp in Philadelphia that will run from July 6-10, then he will head South for another camp in Florida that will last a week.
Last year Parker’s basketball prowess took him as far as Las Vegas, and ended in the same fashion as most of his other camps; with him coming home with new trophy.
Right now, Parker who turns 17 today, is in the middle of his summer run and said he is happy with the way things have been working out.
While his feats are impressive, Parker lists his accomplishments and honors matter-of-factly, without the slightest hint of ego. The soon-to-be junior threw out the fact that he was offered a full-scholarship with the same manner he would throw a bounce pass: nothing flashy, just to the point.
Parker said he was honored by the offer, but will not make any college decisions until after his junior year is complete at the earliest.
So how did he respond? Just as smooth as he would if he was in a tight game with the clock winding down in the fourth quarter - cool and calculated.
To the outsider, Parker’s summer may seem glamorous, winning MVP trophies, being offered scholarships while touring the country, however, he did say that every once and the pressure and the everyday grind takes a toll on him.
Parker’s father Omar was an outstanding player in his own right, and has been through a lot of the same things Mychal is going through now. So while Parker may be touring the U.S. like Mick Jagger, he can take comfort in his dad’s advice because his poppa was a rolling stone in his own right.
While Parker may not know where he will go after his senior season, he does know where he will be going for his junior year. The guard who averaged 30 points and 12 boards for the Terra Ceia Knights will be taking his game to Miller Prep in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The idea for a transfer came from his father-agent, and Omar believes the move was a right one from a fatherly perspective as well as basketball one.
Omar also acknowledged that the move is a basketball one as well, Miller Prep is a highly regarded school in Virginia that plays powerhouse teams such as Oak Hill Academy.
Mychal said he was looking forward to the transition.
While Mychal has received numerous awards and looks from colleges and universities, Parker is not content with his game, and in between camps, works on his skills feverishly.
So far the hard work has paid off for Parker. The shooting guard said that the feedback from the scouts has been good. They have been impressed with the way he sees the floor and his decision making, but would like to see him be more consistent with his jump shot.
They also like his versatility, at roughly 6-foot-7-inches, Parker has the mind of a point guard, and the body of a swing player, allowing him to play the one, two and three positions. However, Parker prefers playing shooting guard.
Parker doesn’t seem to get caught up in semantics, he keeps his mind on what he can control and what is in front of him. He is a student and a worker, and right now he is preparing for his next business trip in Philadelphia on July 6.