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Tony Parker: Georgia Tech and UGA haven’t given up on Atlanta basketball star

10:30 am September 14, 2011, by Michael Carvell

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Georgia Tech and UGA haven’t given up on basketball star Tony Parker, who doesn’t have an official visit planned to either local school.

Both UGA coach Mark Fox and Georgia Tech assistant Chad Dollar showed up at Miller Grove High School this week to check on the 6-foot-9, 270-pound power forward who is ranked among the nation’s top 25 overall college basketball prospects.

Parker’s original top five was Duke, Ohio State, UCLA, Memphis and Georgetown but now it appears to be a three-horse race for his services.

After making an official visit to Ohio State last week, Parker rated it a “10” and is scheduled to welcome Buckeyes coach Thad Matta on Wednesday to the DeKalb County school. Parker said he has also set up recruiting trips to UCLA on Sept. 30 and Duke for Oct. 28. Memphis and Georgetown apparently have been eliminated.

“I think it’s smart that Georgia Tech and Georgia are still recruiting Tony,” Miller Grove basketball coach Sharman White told the AJC. “I wouldn’t give up. He’s a hometown guy. When you look at it, Georgia Tech and Georgia aren’t losing that much in time or money by checking on Tony. It’s not like they have to fly out to California to see him. He’s in their backyard. I think it’s smart for them to keep recruiting Tony because you never know how things turn out.”

Miller Grove PF Tony Parker is ranked among the nation's top 25 college basketball prospects (AJC photo)

Miller Grove PF Tony Parker is ranked among the nation's top 25 college basketball prospects (AJC photo)

Parker told the AJC he is considering taking an unofficial visit to Georgia Tech and/or UGA. His next scheduled recruiting trip will be in a couple of weeks to UCLA, which hired his longtime AAU coach from the Atlanta Celtics, Korey McCray, as an assistant in June. Parker’s close friend and teammate on the Atlantic Celtics, shooting guard Jordan Adams, has already committed to the Bruins.

Then there’s Duke next month. “I want to go visit Duke the same time as Alex Poythress” said Parker, referring to fellow top 25 national prospect from Clarksville, Tenn. The 6-foot-7 Poythress plays for Parker’s rival AAU team, the Georgia Stars.

Ohio State appears to be the frontrunner for Parker after last weekend’s visit. “I’d give that trip a 10,” Parker said. “I had a great time, and that school is at the top of my list. Well, it’s high on my list.”

“[Matta] is a great guy. I’m really digging the campus. They have a family-like atmosphere with the players and coaches that I love. I’m just all-around loving the school.”

Ohio State has another big factor working in its favor with Parker – NBA All-Star LeBron James. Parker and James became fast friends at a summer camp, and James has said he would’ve played at Ohio State if had not gone directly to the NBA.

Tony Parker has helped Miller Grove win three straight state championships (AJC photo)

Tony Parker has helped Miller Grove win three straight state championships (AJC photo)

“LeBron will be there [at Ohio State] next week for training,” Parker said. “I know he’s a big Ohio State fan. He watches their basketball and football games.” What advice has LeBron give Parker about Ohio State, or the recruiting process in general? “None, really. He doesn’t talk with me about that stuff.”

Back to UGA: Parker’s teammate at three-time state champion Miller Grove, small forward Brandon Morris, committed to UGA on Monday. Morris said he would love to see Parker join him with the Bulldogs. (read more)

“I mean, that would be great but Tony is going to make his own decision,” Morris said. “It’s not going to be me talking him into anything. He is his own guy, and he’s going to pick the best situation for him.”

OTHER BIG NEWS OF THE DAY

Maryland recruit AJ Liddell transfers schools, on UGA’s recruiting radar (click on story link)

UGA’s 0-2 start may have hurt its chances of landing one of nation’s most-heavily recruited defensive tackles (click on story link)

WE’VE MOVED!!! Visit the AJC’s NEW Recruiting page by clicking here or going to ajc.com/sports/recruiting

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– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog

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Got an item? mcarvell@ajc.com

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26 comments Add your comment

Bob Loblaw

September 14th, 2011
10:41 am

Paul Johnson sure could use him.

RaleighDawg

September 14th, 2011
11:10 am

After watching Coach Fox sit and waste a lyear of eligibility of a Miller Grove alum last season, don’t hold your breath that Tony Parker is headed to Athens.

GT Alum

September 14th, 2011
11:11 am

I wonder why Lebron would have gone to Ohio State? Maybe it’s because he is from Ohio and wanted to represent his state at the next level? It was a great story (pre-Decision) when he was able to represent Cleveland and be its homegrown superstar. I would love to see more of this elite talent stay in state, either at Tech or UGA

RaleighDawg

September 14th, 2011
11:13 am

@GT – after all the recent press about “irregularities” at Ohio State do you really have wonder why Lebron would have gone there ?

ATL Sports Fan

September 14th, 2011
11:20 am

RaleighDawg, are you serious? Donte Williams didn’t light up the college ranks last year at all. So Fox, should have played him more? When he shows that he can play with any regularity with college athletes then he will garner more PT. Shooting 26% and less than 50% from the line will not help you get much PT. Guess it didn’t have any effect with Brandon Morris committing to UGA.

Bort

September 14th, 2011
11:23 am

As for your comment, Raleigh, Donte needs to add and keep weight to be a key part of Fox’s team. He looks bigger this year. Also, he got into foul trouble too often while playing.

bwell

September 14th, 2011
11:33 am

That’s BS, Prince James said on TV and quoted from ESPN that he would have gone to Akron. Soooo, watch what you ask for Parker. He is trying to recruit you to his state school. Go to Ga!

dap

September 14th, 2011
11:54 am

If Lebron is influencing the decision on EDUCATION, then Mr. Parker is in trouble.

Hoops Dawg

September 14th, 2011
12:28 pm

At this point, I don’t care if we get Parker, Goodwin, or the big guy from downstate–as long as we get one of them. We badly need a beast in the frontcourt in this recruiting class.

slydog

September 14th, 2011
12:43 pm

Forget this guy, he has his mind on an already established, elite program. Focus on the guys who really want to be here, like Goodwin or Robert Carter. And let’s not kid ourselves, Lebron would have went to Ohio St. if he had decided to go to college at all. That Akron statement was made to make him look humble. Ohio St. would have paid $180,000 to make sure that didn’t happen. It would have been embarrassing. However, I will say this: If Duke, UNC, UCLA, and Ohio St. were recruiting me, I would place them in my top 5 and go on official visits too. Then I would visit UGA and Tech last. You can’t pass up a chance to at least explore the opportunities. Heck, I’d even check out Kansas.

'12 GA PF Tony Parker (Official Offer) - Page 4 - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums

September 14th, 2011
1:05 pm

[...] Ohio State appears to be the frontrunner for Parker after last weekend?s visit. ?I?d give that trip a 10,? Parker said. ?I had a great time, and that school is at the top of my list. Well, it?s high on my list.? ?[Matta] is a great guy. I?m really digging the campus. They have a family-like atmosphere with the players and coaches that I love. I?m just all-around loving the school.? Ohio State has another big factor working in its favor with Parker ? NBA All-Star LeBron James. Parker and James became fast friends at a summer camp, and James has said he would?ve played at Ohio State if had not gone directly to the NBA. ?LeBron will be there [at Ohio State] next week for training,? Parker said. ?I know he?s a big Ohio State fan. He watches their basketball and football games.? What advice has LeBron give Parker about Ohio State, or the recruiting process in general? ?None, really. He doesn?t talk with me about that stuff.? http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2011…o-st-and-ucla/ [...]

Bob Loblaw

September 14th, 2011
1:37 pm

I hate basketball. The NBA lockout makes me very happy.

Reality Bites

September 14th, 2011
2:17 pm

If you can believe Hewitt Fan and other sources, the recent hire of the local AAU coach from the not-so-great Atlanta Celtics by UCLA is no coincadink. I think we will see a good number of Atlanta high school players in LA before long.

slydog

September 14th, 2011
3:57 pm

Reality Bites

Let’s just say that, all things being even, that were true. And money or extra benefits were not involved at all. That was the point of the hire, was it not?

Will Smith

September 14th, 2011
6:06 pm

Robert Carter and Tony Parker to Ga Tech with udofia, reed and rice starting would be a final 4 team. All Ga boys

GT Insider

September 14th, 2011
6:39 pm

LOL, UGA fans can dish it out but they can’t take it!

nobody

September 14th, 2011
7:31 pm

what a crock….but you gotta admit… he’s smart…my notion is that he didn’t want to go to UGA anyway…but because he didn’t want to be intellectually honest, he “spun” it to make it look like it wasn’t his fault….he knows all about “blame assessment”…he will probably become a talk show host….

Hubie Green

September 14th, 2011
7:57 pm

Sullinger will go pro after this year at Ohio State; Parker is a great fit in that exact spot. Plus he actually played for the Southern Kings and with Shannon Scott for a couple of years. All players love to play with a pass first point guard. I’m not seeing Duke and him bouncing around with the Plumlee triplets. UGA and Ga Tech both have a need inside, but most college teams do.

black1

September 14th, 2011
9:55 pm

an overrated center- I just dont see his game changing. No jump shot!!

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September 15th, 2011
3:03 am

[...] Basketball: Duke, Ohio St. & UCLA will get visits from basketball star Tony Parker, who is still being recruited by Georgia Tech and UGA (click on story link) [...]

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[...] to take one of his five official visits to Georgetown. However, plans seem to be up in the air, as an article yesterday suggested that Georgetown and Memphis were out of the picture; while Parker refuted that suggestion, he also [...]

Go Blue Hose !!!

September 15th, 2011
1:47 pm

Tony, keep it real young man……join AJC Slam Dunk champ Matt Citron at Presbyterian College in Clinton SC….the smallest D1 program in the nation….mid-majors are what it is all about….high D1’s are now so overrated. Go to PC and help create magic !!! Go Blue Hose !!!

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September 16th, 2011
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September 16th, 2011
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whatever man

September 18th, 2011
10:22 am

Why would he go to UGA with Duke, Ohio State & UCLA as other options? That would be like going to the Minnesota T-Wolves when you could sign with Dallas, Miami or LA. This kid recently said himself that he would like to play with Kyle Anderson and/or Shabazz Muhammed. Last I saw UGA was not on the list of these other two young men.

AC

September 21st, 2011
11:13 am

Off-topic, but that’s got to be one of the worst photo-shopping jobs. How was this cleared for publishing?