Last season, the Kansas Jayhawks notched just 75.1 points per game; those numbers ranked the Jayhawks No. 161 in the country.
When KU was forced to revamp its squad following a tumultuous 24-11 season, returning head coach Bill Self made it a priority for the Jayhawks to address the scoring issues, and Radford transfer Dennis Parker Jr. will go a long way in doing that.
Last season, Parker averaged 18.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists on a stellar 48.4% field goal rate that was spiked thanks to his 53 points in Radford’s 107-77 win over Coppin State.
Parker also put in impressive performances against power-conference opposition, including 18 points against SMU, 10 points against South Carolina and 23 points against North Carolina.
With Parker playing a bit-part role in his two seasons at NC State and one starting season at Radford, he hasn’t been fully exposed to the ups and downs of a schedule the likes of Kansas’ next season, but he has proven he can be a vital piece, no matter his role.
Yesterday, Self spoke with the media. When asked where Parker will fit in among the rest of the KU roster, Self answered, “I have no idea. Dennis scored the ball well enough to get 53 at a college game. But he's inconsistent, too.”
After entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, Parker was immediately ranked as the nation’s No. 145 player and No. 21 small forward according to 247Sports.
“I thought he was a really good available prospect, at the end for us, because we needed somebody that can score,” finished Self.
Earlier last month, when Parker announced his intention to join the Jayhawks, on The Field of 68 After Dark, Parker was asked to describe his game, saying, “Two-way dog. Honestly, I love defense. I really love defense more than offense.”
Coming out of Richmond, Virginia, Parker played AAU basketball on Team Loaded, something he took a lot of pride in.
“Coming from Team Loaded, we [are] based on just pride and energy. I'm just bringing all the energy. Like all the doggedness…I just get to it. “
Parker could be the missing piece from last season
Last season, the Jayhawks were planted at the very bottom of bench points per game with just 13.09, on what was a very short rotation for the Jayhawks. If it wasn’t Darryn Peterson, Tre White or Melvin Council Jr., then the Jayhawks were out of luck in trying to find another consistent scoring option.
From the way Self talked about incoming guard Leroy Blyden Jr. he made it seem like Blyden and Taylen Kinney will take up the backcourt, and with the nation’s No. 1 player in Tyran Stokes incoming at small forward, Parker will likely be resigned to the bench, but if Self can balance out the rotation correctly, then expect a massive jump in both bench production and total offensive production from a team that desperately needs it next season.
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