Coach Gregory Press Conference
University of Dayton men's basketball coach Brian Gregory has announced that Josh Parker will transfer to UD from Drake University. Parker, a 6-0 guard who graduated in 2007 from Thornton High School in suburban Chicago, will finish the academic term at Drake and then enroll at UD this summer. He will become eligible to play for the Flyers beginning with the 2010-11 season and will have two seasons of basketball eligibility remaining for the Flyers.
Parker had announced his commitment to come to Dayton during his visit to UD's campus last weekend, but his transfer is now official with the completion of his NCAA paperwork.
"We're very excited that Josh is joining our program," UD head coach Brian Gregory said. "In addition to his exceptional basketball skills, he is team-oriented and has a strong desire to improve himself. Even though he will not be able to see game action while he sits out next season, I think he will make an immediate strong contribution to our team, He played for a great high school program and knows what it takes to win. I think he is a perfect fit for us."
Parker appeared in 33 games last season for Drake, with nine starts. He averaged 10.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 rebounds, while shooting .432 (57-132) from three-point range and .720 (67-93) from the free throw line. He was third on the team in scoring, and led the team in 3-pt. FG%. He was fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference.
He led Drake in scoring in six games during his sophomore season, including a career-high 25 points in a home game against Northern Iowa. He was the MVP of the Drake Iowa Realty Invitational during the year. Following the season, he was named to the MVC's Most Improved Team after averaging just 2.1 points as a freshman.
At Thornton High School, Parker was a two-time All-South Suburban East Conference choice. As a senior, he was first team all-area as selected by Daily Southtown, The Star and Times newspapers. He earned honorable mention Illinois Class 2A all-state honors, averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals. He helped lead Thornton to the Elite Eight of the 2007 Illinois Class AA state tournament, where it lost to eventual state champion Chicago Simeon.
Dayton returns four starters and 10 of its top 11 scorers from last year's 27-8 team that reached the NCAA second round. The Flyer returnees include all four players who earned Atlantic 10 post season honors in 2008-09: Chris Wright, Marcus Johnson, London Warren and Chris Johnson. Wright, who was also First Team NABC All-District, led UD in scoring (13.3) and rebounding (6.6), and set a school single-season record for dunks (54).
