Interview with transfer forward Parker Fox
Credit: Northern State University
The work of pursuing transfers in college basketball is intensive.
After scouring thousands of hours of clips and game film, the coaching staff reaches out to gauge if their interest in a player is reciprocated. If it is, they continue to develop a relationship while doing their homework to determine the character of the person. Sometimes athletes want to make quick decisions, which limits the time coaching staffs have to piece together the information. Other times, players want to take ample time, meaning coaching staffs might have to turn others away so they can wait for their player of choice to decide.
The transfer market is fraught with risk, but those schools that have figured out how to capitalize on it have been richly rewarded.
San Diego State has a long history of finding the right young men to transfer onto their team. They are already busy finding their next wave of talented transfers.
“Once that game (Syracuse) was over, the season was over, and I’m already concentrating on building next season’s team.” Coach Brian Dutcher said this past Monday, “Once I get recruiting finished up, I feel like we’ll have a product that will keep us at the top of Mountain West and ranked nationally.”
This weekend, SDSU’s learned it made the top 8 for two of the top transfers in the nation, Noah Gurley and Parker Fox. Earlier, we detailed Gurley’s recruitment. Here we take a look at Fox’s ties to SDSU. His interview with the East Village Times is below.
Division II standout transfer Parker Fox is down to 8 schools! Where should he go? @Parkerfox24 pic.twitter.com/LXAYr4zoDI
— 336 Edits (@336Edits) April 3, 2021
Question: What are your top priorities when choosing a new school?
“My top priorities are finding a program and a coaching staff that I can have a really good relationship with and trust with my last two years at their school. I want to be able to come into a program and help them win and develop my game to the next level. It’s important to me that I am in a place that has a style that fits the way I play and allows me to be the best version of myself.”
Question: Why did SDSU make your list of top eight schools?
“SDSU is a tremendous program that plays in the tournament basically every year. I’m coming from a place that has won 4 straight championships. I’ve learned how to win, and I know that San Diego State knows how to win. The staff and the guys that they have on their roster want to win and have the right formula to do that.”
Question: Viejas Arena is known as one of the best environments in college basketball, with one of the top student sections, The Show, leading the way. How important is the game atmosphere to your decision?
“Atmosphere and support for the program is a huge aspect in my decision. I need a place that celebrates their basketball and wants to see the guys on their roster succeed. It’s so much more fun to play in a place that is packed, excited, and loud to watch you play the sport that you love to play. Having pride in your university and their athletics plays a vital role in my decision-making process.”
Question: SDSU has been very successful with bringing in transfers – preparing them for the pros and acclimating new pieces into championship teams. How does their past success influence your thoughts on coming to San Diego?
“Definitely makes it easier to know that they have done it before. They’ve had a rich tradition with bringing in transfers and helping get them to the next level. At the end of the day, it is my goal to play in the NBA, and finding a program that allows me to get there is what I’m looking for. San Diego State has done a tremendous job with transfers, and that’s just a testament to their staff and their desire to win.”
Question: You have motioned winning a lot already. How do you prioritize winning over personal success?
“Team success is everything. Individual success stems from team success. I’m a firm believer that in order for you to get to where you want to be, you have to buy into a team and work hard for your brother standing next to you. Not to mention winning is a whole lot more fun.”
Question: Coach Dutcher is known for allowing his players freedom inside his positionless basketball style. How do you think your style fits with how the Aztecs play?
“That’s extremely important to me. I feel that, especially in order to play at the next level, you have to know how to play every position. Being able to play and not worry about the consequences for missing shots is important to me. I think it helps bring confidence to your game, and you were able to play at the highest level of your ability.”
Question: SDSU is the only school in your top 8 on the west coast. What role does geography play for you?
“Geography doesn’t play a huge role in my decision. I will go wherever I need to go as long as they check the boxes that I have for myself and my future.”
Question: What is your timetable for making a decision, and what are your next steps in the process?
“I don’t have an exact date. I narrowed down my final eight so that I could start to create and build deeper relationships with coaches and players. It is important to me to find a place that I can fully trust him the most successful in for my last two years of college.”
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Whatever team Fox chooses will be getting a sensational player. A Division II All-American a season ago, Fox averaged 22.3 points and 9.9 rebounds a game for Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He is a 6’8” versatile athlete who can guard any position. Known for his emphatic dunks and energetic play, Fox is the type of mold-breaking player that has thrived at San Diego State for decades.
Points and rebounds are not Fox’s best qualities, which is saying a lot from a player who averages nearly a double-double. Instead, Fox does all of the little things on and off the court that typically is the difference between winning and losing.
“He is our swagger.” Northern Head Coach Saul Phillips said. “He’s out there with the long hair dunking all over the place and swinging off the rims. He’s been a leader, he’s been a transcendent player, and he’s a good student. I guess you can’t ask any more of a kid than what he’s done over the course of his career. It’s been great.”
My earliest sport’s memory involve tailgating at the Murph, running down the circular exit ramps, and seeing the Padres, Chargers and Aztecs play. As a second generation Aztec, I am passionate about all things SDSU. Other interests include raising my four children, being a great husband and teaching high school.