Alabama discussing possible redshirt for freshman guard Kris Parker
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama freshman guard Kris Parker has missed the Crimson Tide’s first two games of the 2023-24 season with an eye abrasion, and on Monday, head coach Nate Oats said the newcomer could be heading for a redshirt in his first year of college hoops.
“We’re in the process of talking about possibly redshirting Kris,” said Oats while previewing UA’s game against South Alabama. “Just to get stronger, get better at some things. I think he’s got a chance to be really good. We’re in the process of that. He had the injury. He’s healed from the injury. He’s practicing. But we’re in the process of talking through that right now.”
A 4-star recruit out of Crossroad Academy (Fla.), Parker averaged 24.8 points, 14.2 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.4 blocks per game as a senior. Named the Florida Class 2A Player of the Year, Parker helped lead his high school team to a 2A District 1 title in his final season and chose to play for the Tide and its 13th-rated signing class over Missouri, Villanova and UCF.
Parker has seemingly grown quite a bit since enrolling this summer. He was listed at 6-foot-6, 170 pounds when his signing was officially announced by Alabama but is now three inches taller and 25 pounds heavier, according to his profile on the Tide’s official athletics website.
Last month at SEC Tipoff ‘24, Oats discussed Parker’s progress since arriving on UA’s campus.
“It’s always hard for guys coming out of high school,” Oats said on Oct. 18. “They got to adjust to the speed of the game. So we’re working with him on his shooting. If he could shoot it, he’s got a chance to be really good. He’s long, he’s athletic. He plays hard.
“We’re trying to sell him on kind of that Herb Jones defensive role. He’s definitely not to Herb Jones’ level on defense, but he has some physical tools to get there. He could be a versatile defender. We just got to keep coaching him, teaching him our system on defense. Individually he can be great within the team system on defense.
“But he’s got a chance to help us, for sure.”
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