42 Jason Parker

Jason Parker was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and became one of the state’s most decorated high school players at West Charlotte High School. As a senior, he led the Lions to a 30–2 record and the 1999 Class 4A state championship, scoring 38 points with 12 rebounds in the title game. Parker was named the tournament’s most valuable player, North Carolina Mr. Basketball, Gatorade Player of the Year and a Parade All-American. After a postgraduate season at Fork Union Military Academy, he chose Kentucky over several other prominent programs.

The powerful 6-foot-8 forward-center immediately earned a place in Kentucky’s starting lineup during the 2000–01 season, becoming the first freshman to start a season opener under Tubby Smith. Parker started all 34 games, averaged 8.6 points and 4.7 rebounds, and shot 55.2 percent from the field. His physical play around the basket helped the Wildcats win the Southeastern Conference regular-season and tournament championships, and he was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Parker’s promising Kentucky career was interrupted when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the summer of 2001 and later reinjured the surgically repaired knee. After being dismissed from Kentucky in August 2002, he enrolled at South Carolina, but continuing knee trouble and academic issues prevented him from playing for the Gamecocks. His 34 games as a Kentucky freshman proved to be his only season of college competition.