No Longer Recreation for Parks
by Andrew Force, Future150 (7:26 PM CT, Mon December 8, 2014)

Buford, GA (Future150) -- It takes a lot to soar above the noise of Atlanta, Georgia.  So many stars in so many fields and yet this summer forward Christopher Parks began making a name for himself amid the racket.

Parks had a breakout summer on the camp circuit, pitted against top 50 players in the Class of 2018.  In his opinion he belonged right there with them.

“I felt like I matched up pretty well against other top players in the nation,” said Parks.  “It definitely boosts my confidence, but keeps me humble at the same time.  I guess it did boost my confidence.”

Parks spent his summer with the Atlanta Celtics.  A premiere Atlanta-based AAU outfit, the Celtics are best known for developing Dwight Howard, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Javaris Crittenton.  After a strong summer Parks might be welcomed back to the Celtics even though several other outfits are also recruiting him. 

The time for picking an AAU team will come.

“It is time to focus on really playing varsity,” said his mother, Tanya Johnson.  “He wants to do that. He wants to make and be a starter on the varsity.”

Varsity for Lanier High School (Georgia) boasts a very brief history as the building opened just four short years ago.  It became a necessity as the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta continued to attract more and more families.

Lanier starting guard

Parks is one of the first stars to compete for LHS.  Entering the fray with him will be Adrian Martin.

“He is well known,” said Parks.  “Last year he played on North Stars Elite and Georgia United.”

Expected to come off the bench, Martin won the preseason position battle.

"He starts [at] the point guard," said Parks.  "He is basically our best guard that we have right now.  He does the job well."

While Martin has solidified his place in the starting lineup Parks gets large minutes from the sixth man spot. 

Parks faces the timeworn dilemma of positioning.  Standing 6’4” the forward could work towards a double-double every night for Lanier High.  For defenses his combination of strength and agility are certain to prove problematic.  And yet he knows that his future will be out on the wing.

No college wants a 6’4” power forward.  If Chris is done growing vertically, then his game must adapt.  For decades now tall, promising freshmen have been stuck in this quandary.  Help my team or my future?  While there is some overlap it takes a wise and patient high school coach to allow his dominant big to drift from the low block.

“He has always been big, but puts in the work for the next level where he may be a “3”,” said Johnson.  “He is elevating his game so he can be effective at any position.”

If you ask Parks he will tell you the mandatory metamorphosis of his game.  He has no hesitation revealing his weaknesses and eventual position.

“Probably my dribbling,” said Parks.  “I need to increase my dribbling and maybe increase motor a little bit.  I always need to increase that.  I am going to still try to continue all aspects of my game.”

Each game this winter LHS will likely employ Parks as a trailer.  Look for him to catch the rebound, find the outlet, and then engage at the top of the key late.  Parks trains with Mike Artis of the Georgia Stars 15U team.  Together they work on shooting and dribbling.

"We have been getting in the gym," said Parks.  "He claimed that he is looking to add to the stars this year.  I guess I develop mostly my guard-work with him.  He has us putting up a lot of shots.  Shots off the dribble, shots off the pass, and regular shots."

Parks has been pleased with the results. 

"Definitely," said Parks.  "I have seen a lot of improvement in my game. I am starting to handle it better than some of the guards on the varsity team."

Recruiting

Working out with Coach Artis has had perks for Parks.

"We just went to UGA game on Sunday," said Parks.  "We went to UGA basketball game.  We are taking visits there because Coach Artis knows a lot of coaches."

Georgia knocked off the visiting Colorado Buffaloes, 64-57.  Georgia's large state university runs out seven scholarship players from The Peach State.  The school has recruited athletes from the Atlanta-region for generations.  Parks is certainly a talent worthy of their attention in the coming years.

"The UGA gamewas really fast paced," said Parks.  "Watching college games always motivates me to work hard to get in their position." 

To date Parks has visited Alabama, Georgia, and Wofford. 

Travels

One advantage of playing AAU basketball is the frequent travel.  Young men get to see many cities in their region.  Travel helps open up the mind and expose athletes to other cultures, other cities, and potential college homes.

"My favorite city has always been New Orleans Super 60," said Parks.  "That is always a city I really like.  I really like the city and the food."

In addition to New Orleans, Parks has some loose ties to Florida too.

"Most of my family lives in Florida," said Parks.  "They live in Tampa and Orlando."

College recruiting has started for Parks.  State schools from the SEC know about him.  By April his name will be more widely discussed.  The AAU season will expand his footprint further.  Breaks are not needed.

“He doesn’t like when he doesn’t have any basketball going on,” said Johnson.  “He lives, sleeps, and breathes basketball.”

That oncoming roar you hear is Christopher Parks.  Unavoidable.  Undeniable.  You will know his name very soon.

“My goal for this season is to try to take my team to the state playoffs, if I can,” said Parks.  “I know I can't do that alone.”