Jack Parkinson (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Jack Gordon Parkinson was an American basketball player who is one of few players in National Collegiate Athletic Association
history to win both the National Invitation Tournament
(1946
) and the NCAA Tournament (1948
). He also played one season in the National Basketball Association
.
and attended Yorktown High School
. A two-sport star, he earned varsity letters in baseball and basketball for all four years. In 1941–42, Parkinson’s senior
year, he led Delaware County
in scoring for basketball and hit .500 in baseball. He also threw a no-hitter
during the county baseball championship match. Parkinson was offered a contract by Major League Baseball
's Cincinnati Reds
, but his desire to play basketball for legendary Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
coach Adolph Rupp
was so strong that he passed up a professional baseball opportunity to play for him.
(SEC). He played for Rupp from 1943–44 through 1945–46 and again in 1947–48; during what would have been his true senior season, Parkinson was overseas for 11 months after enlisting in the Army
.
As a freshman
in 1943–44, he helped lead the Wildcats to a 19–2 overall record and win both the SEC regular season and tournament championships. He was named to the All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Tournament Team.
In 1944–45, the Wildcats once again were SEC regular season and tournament champions. Parkinson earned his second All-SEC First Team and All-Tournament Team honors while helping the team earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament
. They finished the season with a 22–4 record.
Parkinson's best collegiate season came as a junior
in 1945–46. He averaged 11.3 points per game, earned his third consecutive All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Tournament Team selections while leading the Wildcats to yet more championships, and ultimately led them to win their first-ever NIT
. They finished the season 30–2 and edged Rhode Island
, 46–45, in the NIT championship game. Parkinson was named a consensus Second Team All-American
as well. After the school year ended, he spent an 11-month stint in the Army, which put off his college career by one season.
When Parkinson returned in 1947–48 for his senior season, he found himself relegated to coming off of the bench rather than starting, something which he had done for his whole career. He was playing behind what came to be known as Kentucky’s "Fab Five" of Alex Groza
, Ralph Beard
, Cliff Barker
, Kenny Rollins
and Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones
, which is one of Kentucky's most famous all-time teams. Kentucky would go on to win the SEC regular season and tournament as well as the 1948 NCAA Championship
, but Parkinson's role in the success was greatly reduced from two years prior. Despite this, he would end his career with a distinguished collection of championships and accolades, including:
Jack Parkinson was selected in the 1948 BAA Draft
by the Washington Capitols
. He did not play in the league until , however, as a member of the Indianapolis Olympians
. In only four career games, Parkinson scored three points. In addition to his brief NBA career, he also played with the Whiskered Wizards basketball team of St. Augustine, Florida
, and with the Toledo Mercurys, who traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters
.
. He was elected into the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
. His son, Bruce G. Parkinson, was also an All-American as a player at Purdue
and still holds the school's record for career assists (690). Jack Parkinson died on May 29, 1997, due to complications from a brain tumor.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
history to win both the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
(1946
1946 National Invitation Tournament
The 1946 National Invitation Tournament was the 1946 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
) and the NCAA Tournament (1948
1948 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page....
). He also played one season in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
Early life
Parkinson grew up in Yorktown, IndianaYorktown, Indiana
Yorktown is a town in Mount Pleasant Township, Delaware County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,405 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and attended Yorktown High School
Yorktown High School (Yorktown, Indiana)
Yorktown High School is a high school located in Yorktown, Indiana, USA. It is managed by the Yorktown Community School Corporation.The school was one of the six 'Head of Class' selections by the Indiana Chamber Of Commerce, for 2005, for their exemplary efforts...
. A two-sport star, he earned varsity letters in baseball and basketball for all four years. In 1941–42, Parkinson’s senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
year, he led Delaware County
Delaware County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 118,769 people, 47,131 households, and 29,692 families residing in the county. The population density was 302 people per square mile . There were 51,032 housing units at an average density of 130 per square mile...
in scoring for basketball and hit .500 in baseball. He also threw a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
during the county baseball championship match. Parkinson was offered a contract by Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, but his desire to play basketball for legendary Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
coach Adolph Rupp
Adolph Rupp
Adolph Frederick Rupp was one of the most successful coaches in the history of American college basketball. Rupp is fourth in total victories by a men's NCAA Division I college coach, winning 876 games in 41 years of coaching...
was so strong that he passed up a professional baseball opportunity to play for him.
College and professional
Parkinson earned four varsity letters as a member of the Kentucky men’s basketball team in the Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC). He played for Rupp from 1943–44 through 1945–46 and again in 1947–48; during what would have been his true senior season, Parkinson was overseas for 11 months after enlisting in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
As a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
in 1943–44, he helped lead the Wildcats to a 19–2 overall record and win both the SEC regular season and tournament championships. He was named to the All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Tournament Team.
In 1944–45, the Wildcats once again were SEC regular season and tournament champions. Parkinson earned his second All-SEC First Team and All-Tournament Team honors while helping the team earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament
1945 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1945 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 8 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 22, 1945, and ended with the championship game on March 27 in New York City...
. They finished the season with a 22–4 record.
Parkinson's best collegiate season came as a junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
in 1945–46. He averaged 11.3 points per game, earned his third consecutive All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Tournament Team selections while leading the Wildcats to yet more championships, and ultimately led them to win their first-ever NIT
1946 National Invitation Tournament
The 1946 National Invitation Tournament was the 1946 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
. They finished the season 30–2 and edged Rhode Island
Rhode Island Rams men's basketball
The Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Rhode Island. The team is currently coached by Jim Baron, who is in his 10th year...
, 46–45, in the NIT championship game. Parkinson was named a consensus Second Team All-American
1946 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The Consensus 1946 College Basketball All-American team, as determined by aggregating the results of four major All-American teams. To earn "consensus" status, a player must win honors from a majority of the following teams: the Helms Athletic Foundation, Converse, The Sporting News, and True...
as well. After the school year ended, he spent an 11-month stint in the Army, which put off his college career by one season.
When Parkinson returned in 1947–48 for his senior season, he found himself relegated to coming off of the bench rather than starting, something which he had done for his whole career. He was playing behind what came to be known as Kentucky’s "Fab Five" of Alex Groza
Alex Groza
Alex John Groza was an American professional basketball player from Martins Ferry, Ohio who was banned from the NBA for life in 1951 for point shaving...
, Ralph Beard
Ralph Beard
Ralph Milton Beard Jr. was an American collegiate and professional basketball player. He was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. Beard was a member of Adolph Rupp's "Fabulous Five" University of Kentucky basketball team...
, Cliff Barker
Cliff Barker
Clifford "Cliff" Eugene Barker was a basketball player from the United States, who won the gold medal with the USA national basketball team at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.-References:...
, Kenny Rollins
Kenny Rollins
Kenneth Herman "Kenny" Rollins was an American basketball player who competed at the 1948 London Olympics and was also a member of the University of Kentucky's "Fab Five" who won the 1948 NCAA Tournament....
and Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones
Wallace Jones
Wallace "Wah Wah" Clayton Jones is a retired American professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association from 1949 to 1952 with the Indianapolis Olympians....
, which is one of Kentucky's most famous all-time teams. Kentucky would go on to win the SEC regular season and tournament as well as the 1948 NCAA Championship
1948 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page....
, but Parkinson's role in the success was greatly reduced from two years prior. Despite this, he would end his career with a distinguished collection of championships and accolades, including:
- 1946 consensus Second Team All-American
- 1946 NIT champion1946 National Invitation TournamentThe 1946 National Invitation Tournament was the 1946 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
- 1948 NCAA champion1948 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page....
- 3× All-Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern ConferenceThe Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
First Team - 3× All-SEC Tournament Team
- 4× SEC regular season champion
- 4× SEC Tournament champion
- 851 career points in 106 games (8.02 ppg)
- 105–11 overall record in Parkinson's four seasons
Jack Parkinson was selected in the 1948 BAA Draft
1948 BAA Draft
The 1948 BAA Draft was the second annual draft of the Basketball Association of America , which later became the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 10, 1948 before to the 1948–49 season. In this draft, eight BAA teams along with four teams who moved from the National...
by the Washington Capitols
Washington Capitols
The Washington Capitols were a charter Basketball Association of America team based in Washington, D.C. The team was coached from 1946 to 1949 by NBA Hall of Famer Red Auerbach....
. He did not play in the league until , however, as a member of the Indianapolis Olympians
Indianapolis Olympians
The Indianapolis Olympians were a National Basketball Association team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. They were founded in 1949 and folded in 1953. Their home arena was the Hinkle Fieldhouse.-Franchise history:...
. In only four career games, Parkinson scored three points. In addition to his brief NBA career, he also played with the Whiskered Wizards basketball team of St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, and with the Toledo Mercurys, who traveled with the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
.
Later life
Parkinson returned to Yorktown, Indiana and got into the wholesale plumbing and heating business in MuncieMuncie, Indiana
Muncie is a city in Center Township, Delaware County in east central Indiana, best known as the home of Ball State University and the birthplace of the Ball Corporation. It is the principal city of the Muncie, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 118,769...
. He was elected into the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame and the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is a sports museum and hall of fame in New Castle, Indiana. It honors men and women associated with high school, college and professional basketball in Indiana....
. His son, Bruce G. Parkinson, was also an All-American as a player at Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball
The Purdue Boilermakers basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. Purdue basketball holds the record for most Big Ten Championships with 22, along with being the only program in the conference to boast winning records...
and still holds the school's record for career assists (690). Jack Parkinson died on May 29, 1997, due to complications from a brain tumor.
External links
- Parkinson’s Kentucky game-by-game statistics at BigBlueHistory.net