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Jason Parker, the highly recruited power forward who was denied admission to North Carolina earlier this summer, enrolled Tuesday at the University of Kentucky for the fall semester and will be eligible to play for the Wildcats this season.
"We're very excited that Jason's going to live out his dream of playing college basketball," said Kentucky coach Tubby Smith from training camp in Hawaii, where he's with the U.S. Olympic team as an assistant coach. "I'm glad he's getting the opportunity to do that at Kentucky. He will add a real presence and some much-needed depth on the front line."
Parker, 6-foot-8, 250 pounds, was a two-time North Carolina player of the year at West Charlotte High and Parade All-American.
"I'm just excited and thrilled to be in school here at Kentucky," Parker said. "I looked for four items when choosing a school: a great basketball tradition, a great coach, a chance to win a national championship and strong academics. I found them all at Kentucky. I can't wait to suit up for coach Smith."
Parker had been released from a national letter-of-intent to North Carolina when his college entrance exam test score was reviewed. After reviewing his high school transcripts, the University of Kentucky discovered that Parker had been in an accelerated curriculum throughout high school and had not received full credit for "advanced gifted classes" he had taken.
"This is one of the most complex cases our compliance office has ever handled," said Kentucky athletics director Larry Ivy. "Sandy Bell, our assistant athletics director for compliance, has worked closely with the NCAA Clearinghouse to ensure that Jason gets credit where credit is due.
"The test scores that were in question from April have been canceled. His corrected GPA combined with previous test scores from last winter, which have not been challenged, allow him to play for the Wildcats this season."
Parker spent the 1999-2000 school year at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, where he received a qualifying score. The NCAA informed Parker in July that his qualifying SAT score was being questioned.
During Parker's senior season in 1999, West Charlotte finished as state champs with a 30-2 record and a No. 8 ranking by USA Today. Playing for Coach Rusty White, the Lions' only losses came at the hands of national powers Oak Hill Academy and Mt. Zion. Parker averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 rebounds and four assists per game and was named MVP of the state tournament, scoring 38 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the state title game.
As a junior, he guided the Lions to a 27-4 mark and the state semifinals, averaging 19 points and 15 rebounds per game. He was named the Associated Press Player of the Year in the state for his junior and senior seasons and Southwest Conference 4A Player of the Year both seasons as well. He also earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior.
The Wildcats had one scholarship available for the upcoming season. Parker chose UK over Cincinnati, Michigan, North Carolina-Charlotte and Wake Forest. | |
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