Following a roster shake-up, head coach Ben Johnson will rely on the Mahtomedi native this winter.
Parker Fox spent much of the previous season believing it was over.
Ultimately, the Gophers forward had triumphed over two severe knee injuries and was in his seventh year of college basketball overall.
“Okay, that’s sufficient,” Fox remembered thinking.
Just a few days after he reached 25 years old in late February, he felt fantastic during an away game at Nebraska, which led him to consider utilizing his fourth year of eligibility throughout his eight years. He brought up the lingering thought to assistant coach Dave Thorson but acted as if his college career had concluded last March.
Following the season, Fox still had the desire to play, and head coach Ben Johnson wanted him to return. The Mahtomedi native made his return to Williams Arena for the U’s season opener against Oral Roberts on Wednesday evening.
The Gophers experienced another significant roster change during the offseason, adding seven new transfers and two true freshmen to two returning starters, one backup, and one crucial off-the-bench player in Fox.
Supporters at The Barn admired Fox’s intelligent and fervent performance last season, and he, in return, would energize them further during matches. Johnson referred to him as a “do-whatever-it-takes individual,” who understands his abilities and how to effectively contribute to success.
“Johnson remarked that he provides you with that life, that energy, that spark.” “You need to include that at some stage in your lineup.”
Fox exhibited actions towards the end of last season that suggested he was finished, taking part in Senior Day against Indiana in early March and kissing the court after the game concluded. “Those timeless final celebration offers,” he remarked.
Fox was attempting to read the (locker) area.
“I didn’t believe I was overstaying my welcome, but you definitely don’t want to,” Fox mentioned in October. “However, at a certain moment you think, I will turn 26 (in February) and there are 18-year-olds, 17-year-olds entering the gym.” “What similarities do we share?”
However, he also noticed who was departing — and remaining — in the locker room. Starting point guard Elijah Hawkins moved to Texas Tech, and starting center Pharrel Payne moved to Texas A&M. Name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements influenced both departures.
Starting shooting guard Cam Christie was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers.
“It smells bad,” Fox remarked. “Particularly a point guard such as Elijah, who truly organized our plays.” Pharrell, our key player inside, and Cam on the wing, both head to the NBA. “You can’t criticize any of those kinds of things.”
However, both all-Big Ten forward Dawson Garcia and starting guard Mike Mitchell stayed at Minnesota for their last season.
“Clearly, Dawson had the option to go anywhere,” Fox stated. “However, simply watching him remain present, take pride in it, and express a desire to be here helped me make that shift.” And my family desired it for me. “I desired it for my own.”
Fox joined the team as a transfer from Division II Northern State located in Aberdeen, S.D., to compete for two seasons. “I believe he might have felt somewhat deceived, in his opinion,” Johnson stated.
Fox began college in the 2017-18 season, but he sat out that year. He subsequently participated in three seasons, from 2018 to 2021, although one year did not affect his eligibility because of the pandemic. He then missed two years due to knee injuries in 2021-22 and is thought to have received two medical hardship waivers prior to competing last season. Thus, this will be considered his fourth year on the court.
Johnson expects Fox to act as a “point forward” while on the court, and his minutes may increase, particularly if Canisius transfer forward Frank Mitchell misses an extended period due to the shoulder injury he sustained in the Hamline exhibition match.
Fox averaged 14 minutes of playing time in 34 games (one as a starter) last season, contributing 5.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game.
Away from the court, the talkative Fox is making a name for himself as a media figure through podcasts and spots on KFAN, yet he remains passionate about basketball and the U of M.
“You won’t be able to do this indefinitely,” he stated. “Then why not go for just one more?”
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