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 Kobe Parker of Ragsdale High School.
We’ve seen Parker throughout his high school journey, recently stating, “Watching Kobe Parker over the last few months has been fascinating. Without reiterating everything above, we will continue to look at his upcoming senior season. He’s shown a ton of growth (possibly as much as anyone from the Triad area) and has really propelled himself into being a scholarship-worthy prospect. Parker’s transition from a spot-up threat to a well-rounded guard is extremely encouraging, especially with his expected leadership role for Ragsdale on the horizon. Though his shooting percentages dipped a little bit last season, there’s really no debate when discussing Parker’s status as a marksman. However, it’ll be interesting to see his approach with the Tigers new-look roster—as he’ll have as much creation duties as ever. Parker (and Ron Jones) will need to carry a massive burden in order for this group to succeed. The Tigers are losing nearly 30 shot attempts per game between their departed seniors, and Parker should absorb a bulk of those chances. Counting on his nightly averages to double might be a lofty expectation, but it’s certainly a possibility. All in all, Parker has solidified himself as a priority for college coaches and should be poised for a huge senior season at Ragsdale.”
It’s easy to appreciate how much Parker has developed his game over the years. He’s gone from a straightforward spot-up threat to a well-rounded guard with the ability to be a core piece for a quality program. This season, Parker posted nightly averages of 13.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.7 SPG while regularly standing out as their primary leader. His shooting percentages don’t necessarily reflect his true abilities as a shooter (more specifically from beyond the arc), as he’s proven capable of being a highly efficient piece in the right context or setting. Though Parker has rounded out his game considerably over the last few seasons, he’s still adaptable and able to produce within a variety of different roles. He currently holds a handful of offers, but don’t be surprised if new programs emerge to pursue Parker over the coming months.