It's a happy holiday for Parker|Hoop star enjoys being home for Thanksgiving
Published 6:37 am Friday, November 27, 2009
By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
It was an extra-thankful Thanksgiving at the Parker household this season as basketball phenom Mychal Parker and his family celebrated his signing of a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at the University of Maryland.
The 6-7, 195-pound do-it-all guard Parker made a verbal commitment to play for legendary coach Gary Williams and his Terrapins in the summer time, but on Nov. 11 he put his decision in writing and signed officially with the school.
Parker said in the months between his oral commitment and his signing, he never had any second thoughts about signing with the Terps.
No, no, there was never any doubt about it, Parker said. Once me and my dad (Omar Parker) decided on Maryland there was never any second thoughts.
Parker, a Washington native, held his signing ceremony at The Miller School in Virginia where the senior has attended class and played basketball since his junior season.
Parker, a former Washington Daily News Player of the Year while starring at Terra Ceia during his sophomore year, said that he is happy that the recruiting process is over.
Signing day was a big relief, all the headaches are gone now, Parker said. Im really excited to go an play for Maryland and I get wait to get there.
Parkers father Omar, who has helped Mychal develop his basketball skills since he could dribble and still coaches him to this day, said that it was a proud moment for him and his family.
I feel really good about it, Parker said. He is going to Maryland, thats a big step for him, he is really growing up. Im very proud of him, I think any parent would be proud to know there child is getting a free ride to a very prestigious university.
Parker, who is rated a 95 out of 100 by ESPN and is listed as the 13th best shooting guard in the nation, is currently home for Thanksgiving and said he is happy to have a break.
Its great to be home right now and spend some time with my family, Parker said. Im enjoying being home. I dont get to be here that often, so when I do (come home) I like to spend a lot of time with my family and relax.
Though it is his down time, Mychal still found time to shoot some hoops with his father, who not only serves as his coach, but his toughest critic.
Parker said he has been working to develop his shooting touch, and felt the effort has paid off.
Mychals proof: his shooting ability impressed his dad.
I have been working on my shot consistently, but my dad said it looked good, so you know its improved, Parker joked. If he says it looked all right, I know its gotten better.
Last season Parker led The Miller School to a 27-4 record and a state title in the Div. II Virginia Independent Conference. This season, Parker has a new coach in Scott Willard and his school has moved up to Div. I.
Not phased by either change, Parker said his goal is to head to College Park with a second state title in hand.
To win another state title means a lot to me, Parker said. Winning is what I dream about, Im a senior now and I want to go out a winner.