WATCH: Chandler Parsons talks UF HOF induction, tells epic Billy D story
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Chandler Parsons had his name etched in Florida history on Friday.
The Gator Great was inducted into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame, one of nine members in the Class of 2022. Parsons will also serve as the honorary “Mr. Two Bits” for Saturday’s homecoming game against Missouri and spoke to the UF basketball team Friday.
Prior to his induction ceremony, Parsons reflected on the highlight of his college career from 2007-11.
“Being the first ever SEC Player of the Year (at Florida), that was pretty nuts. I don’t know how that happened,” Parsons said. “I think the ’04 team probably just split votes, so the guy from Vanderbilt won it. But that was pretty special. Just the whole feeling of March Madness and going to the Tournament. After my junior year considering the draft and then coming back and going to the Elite Eight, that’s what I miss the most.”
Parsons returned for his senior season and won the SEC regular-season title, leading the Gators to a 29-8 record and their first of four straight Elite Eight appearances. He became a second-round pick in the 2011 draft and played nine seasons in the NBA.
Parsons was floored when he found out Florida was inducting him into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
“It was crazy. It was a real surreal moment for me,” he said. “Everything that went into it, from me wanting to come here so bad, from me waiting on the scholarship offer, to me playing here and getting kicked out of the facility. I went through so many up’s and down’s that it means a lot to me to kind of be recognized as one of the best to ever step foot on this campus.”
How did Parsons get kicked out of the UF facility? He explains in the video below, telling an epic Billy Donovan story and reflecting on his career.
Chandler Parsons one of 2022 nine inductees
Parsons was one of nine 2022 inductees into the UF Athletic Hall of Fame.
His class also included Jeff Demps (Men’s Track & Field & Football), Conor Dwyer (Men’s Swimming), Joe Haden (Football), Michelle Moultrie (Softball), Christian Taylor (Men’s Track & Field) and Mike Zunino (Baseball). Additionally, Steve Beeland (Men’s & Women’s Tennis) was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Letterwinner, while former athletics director Jeremy Foley entered as an Honorary Letterwinner.
