Prospect Profile

** Traded to Minnesota on Draft night

Dortch: Florida's Parsons has rounded out to be Mr. Do-It-All

Strengths:

* Versatile game
* Excellent passer
* Good perimeter shooter
* Relentless offensive rebounder
* Fundamentally sound

Weaknesses:

* Has to add size and strength
* Free-throw shooting (.612 career)
* Can he defend a certain position?
 

NBA projection:
Given his versatility, Parsons could play several positions. He might not be a star at any one of them, but he can be a solid utility man because of his ability to shoot, pass and rebound.

2010-11 Season:
Parsons was chosen the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by the league's coaches and the Associated Press. That was a tribute to his versatility; plenty of other players in the league score scored more—Parsons was only the third-leading scorer on his own team—but none displayed the variety of skills. At different points in his career, Parsons played every position but center. He started slow this season but got into a groove shooting from the perimeter and rebounding. Add in his passing and leadership, and Parsons was a driving force behind the Gators' regular-season SEC championship. In one six-game stretch he averaged 12 rebounds. Parsons flirted with a triple-double against South Carolina on Feb. 9 when he racked up 14 points, 12 boards and eight assists.

Key statistics:
11.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.3 tpg, 0.9 spg, 33.8 mpg, .496 FG, .381 3PT, .559 FT

Cool statistic:
In his final season, Parsons was the only player in the SEC to rank among the top five in active career leaders in points (third), rebounds (first), assists (third) and steals (fourth).

Reminds me of:
Shane Battier, because of his overall versatility.

What Insiders Say:
Florida coach Billy Donovan
"With his size, he's got a good feel of how to play. You can put the ball in his hands and he can make decisions and alleviate pressure off our guards. He really does everything—he rebounds his position well, handles it, shoots it, puts it on the floor and makes plays. Sometimes we've played him at the point, and sometimes we make an entry pass to him and he can make plays. He's been that kind of guy for us. He's been a very versatile and well-rounded player."

Florida assistant coach Larry Shyatt
"He's a great offensive rebounder because he loves to move, he's not lazy, and he's got stamina. If you notice, late in game he gets some of his most impressive tips and dunks and offensive rebounds. As other people tire, he's the Eveready battery. He's a mover."

What Outsiders Say:
Kentucky coach John Calipari
"He plays really hard, and he's very active. He attempts to rebound on every offensive shot. It's not that he's more athletic; it's not that he's bigger, he's just more active than anybody and that's what he decides. 'I'm going to beat this guy to that ball.' He's a terrific player."

Alabama coach Anthony Grant
"I can't think of anybody quite as diverse as him with his size. He can shoot the ball and stretch the defense and then with his ability to pass and drive the ball. He impacts the game in a lot of different ways."

Chris Dortch is the editor of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.