[metsjetsfan]

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,...71,00.html

The reason I'm including this is that apparently, he really enjoyed an unofficial visit to Stanford last August and meeting Johnny Dawkins.  http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/8/19/23...recruiting

And according to http://espn.go.com/chicago/story/_/id/79...re-recruit

Parker said he feels a connection with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Dave Rose of Brigham Young and Stanford's Johnny Dawkins, though Parker has yet to narrow his list or set recruiting visits for the fall.

Watching the video, he seems like an awfully humble and nice guy.  Not sure whether he has the academic credentials to get accepted into Stanford, but like Barry Sanders, he seems like the type of person who would really embrace the relative anonymity that big time athletes like Andrew Luck enjoyed at Stanford.

I don't think he'll end up at Stanford, but it's something to watch this year, especially if the team somehow manages to become nationally relevant this year...

[metsjetsfan]

http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,...71,00.html

The reason I'm including this is that apparently, he really enjoyed an unofficial visit to Stanford last August and meeting Johnny Dawkins.  http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/8/19/23...recruiting

And according to http://espn.go.com/chicago/story/_/id/79...re-recruit

Parker said he feels a connection with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, Dave Rose of Brigham Young and Stanford's Johnny Dawkins, though Parker has yet to narrow his list or set recruiting visits for the fall.

Watching the video, he seems like an awfully humble and nice guy.  Not sure whether he has the academic credentials to get accepted into Stanford, but like Barry Sanders, he seems like the type of person who would really embrace the relative anonymity that big time athletes like Andrew Luck enjoyed at Stanford.

I don't think he'll end up at Stanford, but it's something to watch this year, especially if the team somehow manages to become nationally relevant this year...

[yvonne]

SI did a cover piece focusing on him and his Mormon faith a few weeks ago.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/a.../index.htm

[yvonne]

SI did a cover piece focusing on him and his Mormon faith a few weeks ago.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/a.../index.htm

[oman]

Dang it, I was hoping he would play down the whole "school where he could get a national title" thing....

Does seem like a great kid.

[oman]

Dang it, I was hoping he would play down the whole "school where he could get a national title" thing....

Does seem like a great kid.

[StannyBoy]

I didn't realize he had already visited. He has all A's. Pretty exciting. I've read he's the best HS player since LeBron.

[StannyBoy]

I didn't realize he had already visited. He has all A's. Pretty exciting. I've read he's the best HS player since LeBron.

[fullmetal]

Wow, great article.  Parker should definitely come to Stanford.

[fullmetal]

Wow, great article.  Parker should definitely come to Stanford.

[george]

He seems like a great kid and a fantastic basketball player, but he doesn't list getting his degree as a top priority.  Maybe it's unrealistic in the era of Kentucky winning with all one and done guys, but does Stanford really want to jump into that game?  Given his concerns about expectations and wanting to shy away from the spotlight, it would've been interesting for him to have spoken with Andrew Luck about the Stanford experience. 

[george]

He seems like a great kid and a fantastic basketball player, but he doesn't list getting his degree as a top priority.  Maybe it's unrealistic in the era of Kentucky winning with all one and done guys, but does Stanford really want to jump into that game?  Given his concerns about expectations and wanting to shy away from the spotlight, it would've been interesting for him to have spoken with Andrew Luck about the Stanford experience. 

[StannyBoy]

if he doesn't go on his LDS mission after HS I can't see him ever doing it. No way he stays in college for more than one year and once he blows up he's not going to put off the NBA for 1-2 years.

[StannyBoy]

if he doesn't go on his LDS mission after HS I can't see him ever doing it. No way he stays in college for more than one year and once he blows up he's not going to put off the NBA for 1-2 years.

[oman]

Still, I wonder. He'll play as a freshman, then take off two years for his LDS mission. Will he really delay going pro for another three years while he gets his degree and go pro at age 24? That seems hard to believe.

Shawn Bradley plan?  One year in school, two in missions, pro.  Hopefuly with some more conistent results.

Using Bradley as an example, maybe he'd be convinced to go one more year in college...

[oman]

Still, I wonder. He'll play as a freshman, then take off two years for his LDS mission. Will he really delay going pro for another three years while he gets his degree and go pro at age 24? That seems hard to believe.

Shawn Bradley plan?  One year in school, two in missions, pro.  Hopefuly with some more conistent results.

Using Bradley as an example, maybe he'd be convinced to go one more year in college...

[washingtonismoney]

Perhaps. But lots and lots and lots of people underestimate the devotion of LDS people to these missions. I can't tell you how many times I've seen an athlete who everybody was certain would blow the thing off surprise the world. I would not bet against it.

Danny Ainge did it.

[washingtonismoney]

Perhaps. But lots and lots and lots of people underestimate the devotion of LDS people to these missions. I can't tell you how many times I've seen an athlete who everybody was certain would blow the thing off surprise the world. I would not bet against it.

Danny Ainge did it.

[StannyBoy]

Shawn Bradley and Danny Ainge were hardly the next LeBron James...

[StannyBoy]

Shawn Bradley and Danny Ainge were hardly the next LeBron James...

[metsjetsfan]

I'm also not sure how I feel about Stanford recruiting a near certain one-and-done player.

While it makes sense for any 20 year old (not just athletes) to pursue the opportunity to gain millions of dollars, I've generally scoffed at other schools (Kentucky, Kansas, etc.) that attract and embrace one-and-done players (which I think is the WORST aspect of college basketball).

So I don't know if it would be hypocritical to support Stanford recruiting a one-and-done.  It may even potentially attract other one-and-dones, a road that I'm sure no one wants Stanford to go down.  On the other hand, I suppose it is somewhat comforting to know that a Stanford recruit is very likely conscious of "life after sports," and would not easily give up a Stanford degree.

Still, Parker seems like a great kid who truly wants to stay humble despite predicted future superstardom.  I mean, he's serving water to JV kids after varsity games!  I pray that a sweet kid like that can stay the same no matter what, and I'm sure he'd be a great ambassador for Stanford basketball even after only one year.

[metsjetsfan]

I'm also not sure how I feel about Stanford recruiting a near certain one-and-done player.

While it makes sense for any 20 year old (not just athletes) to pursue the opportunity to gain millions of dollars, I've generally scoffed at other schools (Kentucky, Kansas, etc.) that attract and embrace one-and-done players (which I think is the WORST aspect of college basketball).

So I don't know if it would be hypocritical to support Stanford recruiting a one-and-done.  It may even potentially attract other one-and-dones, a road that I'm sure no one wants Stanford to go down.  On the other hand, I suppose it is somewhat comforting to know that a Stanford recruit is very likely conscious of "life after sports," and would not easily give up a Stanford degree.

Still, Parker seems like a great kid who truly wants to stay humble despite predicted future superstardom.  I mean, he's serving water to JV kids after varsity games!  I pray that a sweet kid like that can stay the same no matter what, and I'm sure he'd be a great ambassador for Stanford basketball even after only one year.