Smush Parker
| unattached | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | June 1, 1981 Newark, New Jersey |
| Nationality | USA |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Newtown |
| College | Fordham |
| NBA draft | 2002: Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2002–present |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
William Henry "Smush" Parker (born June 1, 1981, in Newark, New Jersey) is an American professional basketball player.[1] Parker played shooting guard in college, but moved to point guard in the NBA.
Parker was born in Newark, New Jersey, growing up as a basketball player. He gained fame growing up in 'The Cage' basketball courts on West Fourth Street, earning himself nicknames such as NBA Live.[2] Parker attended Newtown High School (New York City), where he was a star guard on their varsity basketball team. He later played college ball at Fordham University. Parker entered the NBA in 2002, but went undrafted. The name "Smush" was originally his father's nickname and was handed down to him by his uncle Naid (pronounced Nide), who died when Parker was eight years old.
Parker went undrafted following his sophomore season at Fordham University in which he was Second Team All A-10 and Second Team NABC All-Region, and resided on the first floor of Alumni Court North dormitory. He had previously attended the College of Southern Idaho as a freshman in the 1999-2000 season. He played for Newtown High School in Elmhurst, Queens, New York.
Early years
Parker was born in Queens, New York, growing up as a basketball player. He gained fame growing up in 'The Cage' basketball courts on West Fourth Street, earning himself nicknames such as 'NBA Live. He attended Newtown High School. He enrolled at Fordham University. He later went undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, but the Cleveland Cavaliers eventually signed him for the 2002-03 season.[3]
Professional career
He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, and Aris Thessaloniki of the Greek A1 League (FIBA Europe) before signing a contract with the Lakers during the 2005 offseason.
Little-known entering the 2005 season, Parker gained recognition as the starting point guard for the Lakers under coach Phil Jackson.
While many experts thought that either newly-signed veteran Aaron McKie or Sasha Vujacic would start at point guard, Parker became a surprise starter in the Lakers' season opener against the Denver Nuggets and went on to score at least 20 points in four of his first five Laker games. This impressed Jackson, and Parker found himself in the starting line-up. Starting from the 2005-06 season Parker started in 162 straight games games averaging 11.5 points. But during the last two games of the regular season and the playoffs (2006-2007), Parker lost his starting spot to rookie Jordan Farmar. On July 26, 2007, Parker signed with the Miami Heat.[1] For the Miami Heat, Parker will be wearing the jersey number 21.[4] Smush Parker's production dropped off dramatically with the Miami Heat. Parker averages 4.8 points per game in Miami compared to his 11.1 with the Lakers. [citation needed]
Before stepping foot on an NBA floor, Parker honed his basketball skills at "The Cage" on Manhattan's West Fourth Street, earning the nickname "Grim Reaper" (which he also has tattooed on his right arm). Parker also has the nicknames "NBA Live" and "The Aviator", which he got from Randy Cruz, one of the co-founders of the Hoops In The Sun basketball league at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York.
Parker played for Aris BC in the A1 Ethniki in Greece in season 2003-2004 and won the Greek Basketball Cup in the final against Olympiacos BC.
Modeling career
As a high school student, Parker also modeled for Nautica apparel.[5]
Professional Endorsements
In 2006, Parker was the celebrity spokesmen for the fashion friendly, Goldtooth 1.0, cell phone carrier.
Legal issues
Parker is currently the subject of a complaint lodged against him by a valet parker who accused Parker of striking her after a dispute over a $12.00 parking fee. The female valet parking attendant, 41 year old Yomara McKenzie, alleges that Smush Parker injured her left arm at a condo building at 355 Biscayne Blvd. The valet could not find Parker's ticket even though Parker alleged that he had paid the $12 parking fee. A police report was generated and the matter is being investigated by the Miami Police Dept. The valet attendant alleges the altercation left severe scratches and possible nerve damage. McKenzie's personal injury attorney is planning to file civil suit for assault and battery. The Miami Heat moved Parker to their inactive list while investigating the allegations.[6] On December 27th, 2007 Parker rejoined the Heat and will be reassessed by coach Pat Riley. The Miami Heat waived Smush Parker at 3pm on March 10, 2008 to sign a new free agent.
References
- ^ a b Jackson, Barry (July 27, 2008). "Heat agrees to terms with guard Parker". Miami Herald. pp. D1.
- ^ Martindale, Wight. Inside the Cage: A Season at West 4th Street's Legendary Tournament. Simon & Schuster ISBN 978-1-41-691915-5
- ^ "Cavaliers Sign Matt Barnes and Smush Parker to Contracts". NBA.com. September 25, 2002. pp. D1.
- ^ of the Miami Heat at Miamihoopsgear.com
- ^ Bresnahan, Mike (January 31, 2006). "Diaper Dandy to Cagey Veteran". Los Angeles Times. pp. D1.
- ^ Cunningham, Michael (November 30, 2007). "Parker inactive as team investigates tussle with valet". South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
External links
- 1981 births
- Living people
- People from New York City
- People from Queens
- American basketball players
- African American sportspeople
- Fordham Rams men's basketball players
- Cleveland Cavaliers players
- Aris basketball players
- Detroit Pistons players
- Los Angeles Lakers players
- Miami Heat players
- Phoenix Suns players
- Point guards
- Shooting guards
- Undrafted National Basketball Association players