Tom Parker

Tom Parker (born July 1, 1950) is an American former standout basketball player at the University of Kentucky who played for the Wildcats between 1969 and 1972. As a senior in 1971–72 he was named the co-Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. As of 2011 he is a teacher at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky.

Early life Parker grew up in Collinsville, Illinois and attended Collinsville High School. Standing at and weighing , he played the center position and dominated his opponents. Parker was a solid contributor from the start, averaging 10.4 points per game in 25 appearances. They advanced to the 1970 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's Elite Eight before losing to Jacksonville, 106–100. Givens was not thrilled with Kentucky as a potential school to play for, but after seeing Parker in action his attitude changed. He eventually became a teacher and now resides in Lexington, Kentucky.