How a midnight call from KU hoops coach Bill Self changed Dennis Parker Jr.’s life
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bill Self called Dennis Parker Jr. just after midnight.
- Parker averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds and shot 48.4% at Radford last season.
- Kansas expects Parker to lead, score, defend and mentor the program's young players.
Dennis Parker Jr. was in disbelief.
“‘Who could be calling this late in the night?’” he thought to himself.
It was a little past midnight in Florida. Parker didn’t recognize the incoming number, but he decided to trust his gut and pick up the phone. It was a wise decision, as that phone call would change his life.
“Man, it was crazy,” he told The Star this week. “You know how when somebody calls you, it says the number and under it says the name? So, I didn’t know,” Parker told The Star. “I was like, ‘What, Bill Self calling?’ I had to make sure it was him. I kind of hesitated. I ended up picking it up and it was him.
“(It) was just a great convo with him. He’s a great guy, obviously a great Hall of Fame coach. I’m just excited (to be) a part of his system.”
For Parker, the phone call was proof that he had accomplished exactly what he wanted to do at Radford. When he entered the transfer portal this offseason, his goal was to play at a high major again.
Parker admitted that his college basketball journey wasn’t always smooth sailing.
The former four-star recruit started his career at NC State. He was part of a team that reached the Final Four, starting in 12 games. Parker averaged 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds during the 2023-24 season.
The following season, he didn’t play much and decided to transfer to Radford.
“I had to make a tough decision at the end of my sophomore year because I didn’t have numbers or anything to show that I could play at that level,” Parker said. “I did have schools at the high major level I could have went to, but it was with no significant role.
“It would have been the same stuff I was doing in NC State, so I had to make the decision to go down a level and play at Radford to prove myself again.”
Parker recalled the Radford coaching staff telling him that they knew he was talented — and that they just wanted him to provide all he could for one year before he moved on.
Well, he did that. Parker averaged 18.3 points and 5.3 rebounds for Radford last season. He shot 48.4% from the field, including 37.3% on 3-pointers. Not to mention the fact that he dropped 53 points against Coppin State on Dec. 14.
The numbers were one thing, but that season gave him confidence in his abilities.
“It showed me that I didn’t lose myself because you have doubts when you go through situations like that, like I was in my second year at NC State,” Parker said. “You have doubts about yourself, but you ultimately remember who you are when you get back in that flow and play with freedom, just being asked to do more things.
“It felt good, man. I feel like the season at Radford was probably the biggest that’s been a part of in my college career so far. I am highly appreciative of the coaches there for granting me the opportunity, so I can get out of there and go back up.”
Finding the right fit was key. He’d watched a lot of high-major ball throughout the season and knew KU’s roster would look a lot different from last season.
Parker didn’t personally know anyone on last season’s KU roster, but he is currently undergoing the NBA pre-draft process with former KU players Tre White and Melvin Council. Parker told The Star that he plans to pick their brains about their experience playing for Kansas, as Parker plans to return to KU after undergoing the pre-draft process.
He will visit Lawrence for the first time as a Jayhawk in a few weeks.
The 6-foot-6 guard didn’t visit Lawrence before committing to Kansas, but he recalled playing at KU during the 2024-25 season with NC State. It was a brief visit and he didn’t get to explore much. He said he can’t wait to scope out Lawrence and wear the crimson and blue.
Parker saw the season Council had after coming from a mid-major school and hopes to have a similar amount of success at KU.
“There’s obviously going to be noise and people saying that, ‘You should have done otherwise,’ but things happen in college basketball. Crazy things happen,” he said. “I think this is just destined to be. I feel like I fit great in the system (and) to be able to provide on a level like Melvin did.”
Working on his game
As Parker undergoes the NBA pre-draft process, he’s working on a variety of different skills before he arrives in Lawrence.
At 6-foot-6, Parker has played a lot of different roles throughout his career. At Radford, he played power forward and averaged 5.3 rebounds per game.
“That was being asked for me at the time, plus I’m just a natural rebounder,” he said. “The coach asked me. If they need more, I’m just going to do everything I can to give them more.”
Parker is working on his ball handling and defensive reads on ball screens, as those are skills that point guard needs.
“I’m already trying to perfect the wing role, but still got to get better at some of my one guard reads and stuff, just in case I get put in that position sometime this year,” Parker said. “We got a lot of depth with the team and a lot of big guys.”
As for Self’s expectation for Parker? Radford explained that Self wants him to be a leader, score the ball, be an excellent defender and be a veteran presence for a young team.
Radford told The Star that he’s excited to mentor Tyran Stokes and KU’s other young players.
“It’s crazy to say I’m a vet now,” Parker said. “That’s kind of what my guy DJ Horn did with me, my freshman year. It’s just keep passing it down. I’ll be there for the young dudes if they need me. I’ve seen so much in the college game. I got a lot of say so in my head and just to give out knowledge… how things work at that level.”
Parker noted that he’s very excited to be a part of “Jayhawk nation.”
“Just expect to be seeing me at the most random places at the most random times,” he said. “I just be outside and enjoying nature. I don’t know too much about Lawrence… expect an energetic player on the court. It might get a little crazy sometimes with me out there.”
