Credit: Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Illinois Basketball Staff in Contact With Alabama Guard
Illinois Basketball is still in the hunt for a stretch forward, as well as quality shooters in the transfer market. The Illini have found themselves in contact with several players who fit the bill, and another was recently added to the list. On April 10th, Alabama Guard Kris Parker announced that he would be departing from Tuscaloosa and Nates Oates’ program. The former recruit in the class of 2023 is a native of Quincy, Florida. In high school, Kris held an offer from Illinois. However, he was being being recruited by Chester Frazier. Who recently exited Illinois for an assistant job at West Virginia.
Alabama transfer Kris Parker tells me that he has heard from the following schools since entering the portal:
Illinois Kentucky UCF Ole Miss Ohio St Oregon Memphis Maryland Miami Cincinnati Vanderbilt Tulsa Marshall FAU Fresno St San Diego St UTSA Arkansas St Kennesaw St GSU pic.twitter.com/aQbswwfbXt
Kris is a unique player for Illinois to target. Brad Underwood needs a stretch forward, as well as shooting guards after the turnover the Illini roster has faced. Parker finds himself in a position to be both. The former 4-star stands in at 6’9 and 195lbs. However, was labeled a guard for the Crimson Tide. Certainly, he would be light as a small forward, but, he does have considerable height and length to work with. Certainly, weight can always be added with Fletch. The redshirt freshman did not see the court for Alabama in 2023-24. He took advantage of a redshirt season to avoid burning a year of eligibility. Of which, Parker still has 4 years remaining.
As a senior in high school (2023) Parker Averaged 24.8 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game at Crossroads High School. As well as 2.4 blocks per game on the defensive end. The young man was the 10th-best prospect in the state (FL) in 2023, and chose Alabama over Mizzou, Central Florida, and Villanova.
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Kirkland is an expert source for Illinois athletics news. He is the lead Football analyst at Armchair Illini and has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.