At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over a hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and under-recruited, and today’s edition will highlight Kenan Parrish of Northwood High School.
We’ve covered Parrish extensively over the last calendar year, most recently stating, “In the same vein, college coaches should be well-informed of Parrish and everything he brings to the table. The classic “you can’t teach size” sentiment is certainly worth bringing up, as he stands at a massive 6-foot-11 with great length and a strong frame. Parrish provides a steady, low-maintenance presence on both ends of the floor. He utilizes his huge stature to wall-up and alter seemingly every shot attempted in his vicinity. Parrish is a quality two-way rebounder who displays toughness and plays well through contact. He finishes properly around the basket, both above and below the rim, and spaces the floor at a useful rate from beyond the arc. It’s perplexing to try and make sense of Parrish’s recruitment, as he’s the exact type of kid who would’ve collected ten to fifteen Division I offers if his graduating class was only a few years earlier.”
Everything stated above still rings true today. Parrish is an incredibly vital piece of the Chargers’ overall identity, and is a big reason why they are currently 26-2 in the midst of a potential title run. He’s big, sturdy, and protects the paint at a high level. Parrish is a great finisher with touch, vision, and the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers. He’s bigger and stronger than a vast majority of post prospects, especially among those in high school, yet is far more than just a big body. This season, Parrish is posting nightly averages of 9.2 PPG and 4.8 RPG with phenomenal 61/50/80 shooting splits. While the raw numbers might not pop off the page, it’s worth noting Northwood’s balance as a group. He’s the type of player who should be able to carve out a role with a healthy variety of programs at the next level. Expect Parrish to be pursued by scholarship-level programs over the coming months.