Mike Parks, the center for the UofM’s men’s basketball team, holds his son, Zakari Daniel Parks, who was born Jan. 5. Parks said his son will motivate him to work harder.
While the arrival of basketball season brought excitement and high expectations for Tiger fans and players, Tigers’ center Mike Parks has a little bundle of off-the-court happiness to look forward to as well. Â
The 22-year old senior’s son, Zakari Daniel Parks, was born Jan. 5. Now, Mike is preparing himself to handle parental duties.
“Seeing my son every day will only make me go harder in everything I do,†Parks said. “I have my family on my back, and knowing that they are relying on me only motivates me to push even more to do my best and to make them proud.â€
Before coming to the University of Memphis in 2017, Parks attended two junior colleges: Missouri State University-West Plains in 2015 and Southwest Mississippi Community College in 2016. Although Parks was an all-region high school player in Cleveland, Ohio, he entered college without any Division I scholarship opportunities, which forced him to take the junior college route. He committed to the UofM during his first visit to the campus.Â
“I chose the University of Memphis because of former coach Tubby Smith,†Parks said. “He offered me a scholarship, and after that one school tour, I fell in love with it.â€Â
Despite his previous setbacks, Parks said he feels that persevering through those difficult times and tackling the responsibility of taking care of his family will help prepare him to raise his son and allow him to serve as a positive role model in his child’s life.
“He’s going to be my little guy and my best friend,†Parks said. “I cannot and will never leave him. I want him to look up to me as a role model and someone he can see as a mentor, as well.†Â
Balancing school, basketball and parenthood may seem like a full schedule for the average individual, but Parks is not letting that deter him from focusing on the current tasks at hand—to excel in the classroom and help lead the UofM basketball team back to the NCAA tournament.Â
The last time the UofM men’s basketball team went to the NCAA tournament was during the 2014-15 season, in which they won their first-round game against George Washington University and lost their second game to the University of Virginia.
Parks is currently starting as the Tiger’s center and averaging 6.5 points per game and 2.5 rebounds a game.
“Since it’s my senior year, this represents my last time to make the NCAA tournament and do some damage,†Parks said. “I have to make sure I depart on the right note and to help make sure that we achieve the success that we know is possible.â€Â
Regardless of what happens on the court, Parks said he can rest easy knowing his future is secured and he can provide the best for himself and his blossoming family.
