Christian Signs Parks, McKee to Letters of Intent
11/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio The Kent State University mens basketball program signed two high school seniors to national letters of intent, third-year coach Jim Christian announced today (Nov. 12).
Joining the Golden Flashes for the 2005-06 season will be Brandon Parks, a 6-10 center from Bunker Hill, Ind. (Maconaquah H.S.) and Mike McKee, a 6-4 shooting guard from Pittsburgh, Pa. (Plum H.S.).
"With this recruiting class we have addressed to specific needs for our basketball program," Christian said. "Whenever you are able to get a 6-10 player with the athletic ability of Brandon Parks, its a no-brainer. And Mike McKee is one the best shooters our staff saw last summer, which is an area we felt we needed to focus on."
Parks averaged 9 points and 8 rebounds with 61 blocks last season as a junior and is a defensive standout for the Maconaquah football team. Parks has tremendous size and is extremely athletic at 260 pounds, running a 4.9 40-yard dash.
"We are very excited Brandon Parks decided to become a member of our program," Christian said. "His biggest asset is obviously his size, which is something we really need. He has a great work ethic and is tremendous young man who has a bright future with us."
Parks is the son of Bernadette Dillman and is coached by Rick Clark at Maconaquah.
McKee was one of the top scorers in Western Pennsylvania last season, averaging 20.9 points, making 88 three pointers, while shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc. He also shot 82 percent from the free-throw line and made nine three pointers in a game as a junior.
"Mike is a perfect fit for Kent State University," Christian said. "He is a great student that has a tremendous work ethic and is as tough as nails. He is one of the best three-point shooters in the Class of 2006 and really knows how to play the game."
McKee is the son of Cindy and Bill McKee and is coached by Ron Richards at Plum.
Kent State plays its only exhibition game of the preseason, Sunday, Nov. 14, against Mercyhurst at the M.A.C. Center at 3:30 p.m. The Golden Flashes open the 2004-05 regular season at the Blue and Gold Pepsi Classic in Milwaukee, Wis. Kent State faces Binghamton in the opening game, Friday, Nov. 19, then plays host Marquette or Sam Houston State in the second game of the tournament, Saturday, Nov. 20.
