University of Memphis Athletics
Mike Parks Signs with the Memphis Tigers
May 03, 2017 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head men's basketball coach Tubby Smith has announced the signing of Mike Parks Jr., a 6-9, 270-pound center from Southwest Mississippi Community College, and joins the top-rated recruiting class in the American Athletic Conference per 247sports.com.
"When we first saw him play at Missouri State-West Plains, we knew he had the skill set we were looking for," said Memphis head coach Tubby Smith. "With him, we fill a need of size in interior play. He is an outstanding young man, and is team-oriented. I love his attitude, and he is a great fit for the program."
Parks, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, finished fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in field goal percentage and made 70.3 percent (97-138) of his shots during the season. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.0 rebounds, playing just 19.4 minutes per game with the Bears.
He helped lead Southwest Mississippi to an 18-9 overall record, and a 10-4 mark in conference play.
Parks scored in double-figures 12 times, including three games of 20 or more points. He had 21 points against Meridian (7-of-8 field goals, 7-9 free throws), and 20 against Pearl River (7-of-9 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws.) He twice had four blocks in a game – on December 5 against East Central (Miss.) and on February 6 against Pearl River.
The former All-Ohio First Team honoree played his first year out of high school at Missouri State-West Plains. With the Grizzlies Parks averaged 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds. He played in an injury-shortened 16 games during the season with Missouri State-West Plains, which posted a 19-11 record.
He made 63.5 percent of his shots (54-of-85), and 72.7 percent of his free throws (24-of-33). He scored in double-figures seven times with the Grizzlies, all in the final 10 games of the season.
Parks a group of Tiger players and signees including:
Kareem Brewton, 6-3, Guard, Claxton, Georgia, Eastern Florida State College
Named a NJCAA First Team All-American after the 2016-17 season. Brewton scored 718 points last season (third-most in the NJCAA), and was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year. He is ranked as the No. 22 player in the JUCOrecruiting.com Top-100, and the No. 11 player on 247sports.com.
Kyvon Davenport, 6-8, Forward, Gainesville, Georgia, Georgia Highlands College
Named a NJCAA First Team All-American. He was also named the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) Player of the Year after averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He is ranked as the No. 19 player in the JUCUrecruiting.com Top-100.
Raynere Thornton, 6-7 Guard/Forward, Marietta, Georgia, Gordon State College
Averaged 10.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists for Gordon State, and recorded three triple-doubles during his second season. An All-Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference First Team honoree, he was also rated as the No. 48 player in the JUCOrecruiting.com Top-100.
Jamal Johnson, 6-4, Guard, Birmingham, Alabama, Spain Park High School
Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com. He was one of just three finalists for the Alabama Player of the Year and was named All-State First Team after averaging 24.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
David Nickelberry, 6-7, Guard/Forward, Orlando, Florida, Windermere Prep
Named the Class 5A District 11 Player of the Year. He averaged 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists and helped the team to a district championship for a second-consecutive season.
Victor Enoh, 6-8, Forward, Decatur, Georgia, Greenforest Christian Academy
Helped lead his team to the Georgia High School State Championship after earning all-conference honors. He averaged 9.7 rebounds and a blocked shot for the state championship squad.
Karim Sameh Azab, 6-11, Forward, Giza, Egypt, Hales Franciscan (Ill.) High School
Member of the FIBA Africa Under-18 Gold Medal-winning Egyptian National Team. His most successful game of the tournament was an 18-point, 11-rebound effort against Tunisia.
Jimario Rivers, 6-8, Guard/Forward, Clarksville, Tennessee, Southwest Tennessee C.C.
Started 19 games for the Tigers last season and averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds. He scored a season-high 16 points against UConn on January 5, and had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against USF on January 14.
Jeremiah Martin, 6-2, Guard, Memphis, Tennessee, Mitchell High School
Played and started all 32 games for the Tigers, averaging 10.3 points and dishing out a team-best 142 assists. His 58 steals were second-most in the American Athletic Conference last season. He scored in double-figures in each of his last six games of the season, including a 23-point, 11-assist game at Cincinnati on February 23.
"When we first saw him play at Missouri State-West Plains, we knew he had the skill set we were looking for," said Memphis head coach Tubby Smith. "With him, we fill a need of size in interior play. He is an outstanding young man, and is team-oriented. I love his attitude, and he is a great fit for the program."
Parks, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, finished fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in field goal percentage and made 70.3 percent (97-138) of his shots during the season. He averaged 8.9 points and 4.0 rebounds, playing just 19.4 minutes per game with the Bears.
He helped lead Southwest Mississippi to an 18-9 overall record, and a 10-4 mark in conference play.
Parks scored in double-figures 12 times, including three games of 20 or more points. He had 21 points against Meridian (7-of-8 field goals, 7-9 free throws), and 20 against Pearl River (7-of-9 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws.) He twice had four blocks in a game – on December 5 against East Central (Miss.) and on February 6 against Pearl River.
The former All-Ohio First Team honoree played his first year out of high school at Missouri State-West Plains. With the Grizzlies Parks averaged 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds. He played in an injury-shortened 16 games during the season with Missouri State-West Plains, which posted a 19-11 record.
He made 63.5 percent of his shots (54-of-85), and 72.7 percent of his free throws (24-of-33). He scored in double-figures seven times with the Grizzlies, all in the final 10 games of the season.
Parks a group of Tiger players and signees including:
Kareem Brewton, 6-3, Guard, Claxton, Georgia, Eastern Florida State College
Named a NJCAA First Team All-American after the 2016-17 season. Brewton scored 718 points last season (third-most in the NJCAA), and was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year. He is ranked as the No. 22 player in the JUCOrecruiting.com Top-100, and the No. 11 player on 247sports.com.
Kyvon Davenport, 6-8, Forward, Gainesville, Georgia, Georgia Highlands College
Named a NJCAA First Team All-American. He was also named the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) Player of the Year after averaging 16.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He is ranked as the No. 19 player in the JUCUrecruiting.com Top-100.
Raynere Thornton, 6-7 Guard/Forward, Marietta, Georgia, Gordon State College
Averaged 10.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists for Gordon State, and recorded three triple-doubles during his second season. An All-Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference First Team honoree, he was also rated as the No. 48 player in the JUCOrecruiting.com Top-100.
Jamal Johnson, 6-4, Guard, Birmingham, Alabama, Spain Park High School
Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com. He was one of just three finalists for the Alabama Player of the Year and was named All-State First Team after averaging 24.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
David Nickelberry, 6-7, Guard/Forward, Orlando, Florida, Windermere Prep
Named the Class 5A District 11 Player of the Year. He averaged 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists and helped the team to a district championship for a second-consecutive season.
Victor Enoh, 6-8, Forward, Decatur, Georgia, Greenforest Christian Academy
Helped lead his team to the Georgia High School State Championship after earning all-conference honors. He averaged 9.7 rebounds and a blocked shot for the state championship squad.
Karim Sameh Azab, 6-11, Forward, Giza, Egypt, Hales Franciscan (Ill.) High School
Member of the FIBA Africa Under-18 Gold Medal-winning Egyptian National Team. His most successful game of the tournament was an 18-point, 11-rebound effort against Tunisia.
Jimario Rivers, 6-8, Guard/Forward, Clarksville, Tennessee, Southwest Tennessee C.C.
Started 19 games for the Tigers last season and averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds. He scored a season-high 16 points against UConn on January 5, and had a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against USF on January 14.
Jeremiah Martin, 6-2, Guard, Memphis, Tennessee, Mitchell High School
Played and started all 32 games for the Tigers, averaging 10.3 points and dishing out a team-best 142 assists. His 58 steals were second-most in the American Athletic Conference last season. He scored in double-figures in each of his last six games of the season, including a 23-point, 11-assist game at Cincinnati on February 23.
Players Mentioned
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