Parker Day
Bio
Height: 6-7
Position: Wing
Year: 2021
Rated: No. 10 on MLive top recruits lists
Offers: Central Michigan, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State, Northwood, Lake Superior State.
MLive’s Top boys basketball recruits from Class of 2021
Heritage's Parker Day (0) lifts off the floor to shoot a basket during a district championship game against Carman-Ainsworth on Monday, March 9, 2020 at the Raider Fieldhouse in Flushing. (Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com)Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com
If not for a few unfortunate accidents, Central Michigan’s basketball program may have had to out-recruit its own football program for Parker Day.
But the 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward is solely a basketball player, one that has received five college offers to date, including one from Division I CMU.
Still, the thought of a 6-7 receiver or tight end with speed and good hands remains enticing for football fans. But it’s not going to happen. Day values his health.
“I played football in grade school, but I got hurt too much,” Day said. “I couldn’t stay healthy. I broke my hand one year, then I broke my collarbone the next. I played receiver and safety, but I never got through a game when I was in eighth grade.”
Not that basketball has been free from injuries.
“We were in Birmingham, Alabama for a tournament,” Day said. “I got a rebound and went coast to coast with it. I got fouled on the layup and missed it, but the bleachers were too close. I split my head open. I got five staples, but I played the rest of the tournament.”
Five offers, preseason deadline
As a junior, Day averaged 16 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks for a 9-12 Heritage team that lost in the first game of the district to Flint Carman-Ainsworth. He started as a sophomore, helping the Hawks post a 14-8 record, falling to Saginaw High in the district tournament.
He has received offers from CMU, Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State, Northwood and Lake Superior State. He has also received interest from Toledo, Princeton, Oakland, Eastern Michigan, Air Force, Holy Cross, Furman, Miami (Ohio) and Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne.
He plans to make a decision before the boys basketball season begins.
“I want to kind of take the pressure off and just have more fun my senior year,” Day said. “I’m just looking for the right school, the best fit for my style of play.
“I consider myself an all-around player who can create mismatches. If the other team’s center guards me, I take them to the wing. If a smaller guy is guarding me, I can go inside. Attacking the basket and finding open teammates is my strength.”
New season, new coach
Day will have to make an extra adjustment this season. After playing for Mark Oates the past two seasons, Day will play for Tory Jackson, the former Buena Vista and Notre Dame standout. Jackson has coached the past three seasons for Bay City John Glenn, squaring off against Heritage and Day.
“I love Tory Jackson,” Day said. “He’s intense. He’s involved with the game.”
And Jackson knows Day.
“He’s a great player, but he has some learning to do,” Jackson said. “I love his competitive nature. At times, he reminds me of myself. He’s very confident. Some people may mistake that for arrogance. I understand that. I was in that position. He has to maintain that confidence.”
Heritage's junior Parker Day (0) jumps to shoot a three-point shot during a game against Carman-Ainsworth at Heritage High School on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com
Mismatch machine
But that doesn’t mean he can’t improve.
“He needs to improve on decision-making, take the mismatch, read the mismatch,” Jackson said. “Sometimes he settles for the outside shot when he has a mismatch to score on the block.
“He has that ability, for sure. He can put up 15 points and 20 rebounds any time. It’s going out there and having the confidence knowing that you’re the best. His height is a problem for teams. Some coaches will get a 6-7 guy and throw him on the block immediately. In my offense, there’s more freedom for a guy like that to stretch the floor, go outside and take that shot.”
Jackson also expects Day to get plenty of assists.
“He’ll be able to get his points, but the guards should have a field day using him,” Jackson said. “Guys like Christian Dobis or Evan Booker can work off him … pick and roll all day.”
While Day tries to make a college decision, he also has a definite goal for his senior season.
“Heritage has never won a boys basketball district,” Day said. “Hopefully, this is the year we get that first one. We’re always in a tough district with teams like Saginaw High, but I think we can compete with them.”
MORE
Former Buena Vista, Notre Dame star Tory Jackson takes over as new Heritage basketball coach
Eugene Seals accepts challenge as next Saginaw Heritage girls basketball coach
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