Throwing it back years before LeBron…with Smush Parker

The year was 1999, the NYC playground legend from the cage of West 4th by way for Brooklyn, New York who played just one year of high school basketball because he didn’t put an emphasis on grades at the time, was finishing up at Newtown High School in Queens, NY. The decision was easy, as William Henry Parker, aka Smush Parker, already knew what he was going to do with his life.

Smush was recruited by big name schools but unfortunately the decision to focus on his GPA came a little late, so he took his talents to Southern Idaho (1999-2000) to focus on getting his grades up and fine tuning his basketball skills on the court.

After just one year in Idaho, Smush was ready to come back to the concrete jungle of NYC, where he was recruited by former NBA coach Bob Hill who was at Fordham University during his time there. (2000-2001). Parker played great as he averaged just shy of 17pts a game and was a second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection. Figuring he would be drafted by one of the 30 teams in the NBA, he chose to go pro after his sophomore season.

The great Dwayne Wade was even paying attention to Smush Parker as he’s quoted saying that he paid attention to Parker at Fordham University and on how well he mastered splitting screens, so he focused on making that a staple in his game.

Smush played in pre-draft camps against other college players who all wanted to showcase their skills and talents in front of NBA executives and front office personnel who were looking for the players of the future. Smush held his own against many of the biggest names in college basketball. He just knew his name was going to be called in the 1st round that June of 2002.

After the NBA draft was over in 02, his name wasn’t called! Was it because his college coach didn’t want him to leave? Whatever the reason, Parker didn’t let that stop him from where he knew God wanted him to go. He just knew he had to work a lot harder than everyone else. So, he did!

Smush received a call from his agent that the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted to invite him to compete with some of their veteran guards. Bimbo Coles was an established point guard in the NBA, who had already been in the game since 1990, as well as Milt Palacio, who had been in the league for a few years as well. The Cavs had a new high-profile rookie in Dajuan Wagner, who had scored 100 points in a high school game the previous season and was being compared to Allen Iverson.

After training camp, the Cleveland Cavaliers offered Parker a non-guaranteed contract to be a backup guard on the team. A young talented team with the names of Carlos Boozer, Darius Miles, Ricky Davis, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, whose number is retired…to name a few.

Less than 25 games into the season, Smush was starting in the backcourt with Dajuan Wagner, Ricky Davis, Tyrone Hill, and Big Z  beating the Toronto Raptors in his 1st start. The year didn’t go as planned for Smush and the rest of the talented young men on that team as the front office had plans for the 1st pick in 2003. That plan was the name  LeBron James, who was going to change the landscape of the entire world for years to come.

Smush often says how Cleveland changed for the better in the community after James made his way to Cleveland, not just in the arena. But the community, in general. How LeBron James brought a light to the area. Smush says that even though his time was short in Cleveland, it holds a special place in his heart. He loves coming back to the city. The restaurant scene is one of a kind, the playhouse square is the 2nd largest to his home of NYC, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and especially the people of Northeast Ohio whom are always welcoming.

One of the main reasons Smush is very proud is that he brought his free camp to Cleveland to The Boys and Girls Club on Broadway Avenue. years ago, to give the youth a chance to train and hear from a former NBA player because many youth don’t get that opportunity.

Now Smush focuses on giving back. He is a devoted Christian who understands how important the give back is. Traveling across the country and beyond with his nonprofit Smush Inspires.
Smush Parker is the keynote speaker for the I.C.Change Basketball Showcase in the greater Cleveland area. A free basketball showcase to help under the radar student athletes looking for an opportunity to continue their dream of basketball at the college level.

Parker played for 6 NBA teams(Cavs, Pistons, Lakers, Suns, Heat, Clippers) during his career in the NBA having his best years with the Los Angeles Lakers (2005-2007) playing alongside Kobe Bryant as he started every game for 2 years, averaging double digit points per game and helping the Lakers make the playoffs. Smush was a part of the 81 pt Kobe game and was the 2nd leading scorer during that game with 13pts. He was on the floor during the famous malice in the palace in Detroit in 2004.

After his time in the NBA, Smush wanted to see the world, so he left the NBA to travel the world playing professional basketball. Winning championships in China by beating the famous Stephon Marbury to win a championship as well as winning a championship in Greece.

Stops in China, Russia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mongolia, Greece, and Iran, to name a few. His final stop playing professional basketball was back in Albany, New York, for the Patroons in 2017. That’s a career of professional basketball from 2002-2017 doing what you love while seeing the world.

Smush always says how blessed his life has been. So, what is he doing now? Besides being married to a wonderful woman and his motivational speeches, he’s focused on getting back to the NBA! Yes, back to the NBA! As the 4th former player to become an NBA referee. His love of the game has never left him. He is working his way through the ranks, as he does high school, D3, and pro ball in the TBL. One coach said it’s great seeing Smush on the other side of the whistle.

Smush says how much he’s learning  that he didn’t know as a player, and most players don’t know as much as they think they do. You get a new level of respect for officials, and it’s a career that you’ll never please everyone. Refereeing is a career that will never be glorified, and what better man to take on the task of bringing glory to the game than Smush Parker.

You can now find Smush Parker on these social media platforms.

Instagram @smush_parker_elite

X @smushparker21