Tom Gelehrter ‏@Tommy_G 6m More #Bearcats hoops news this morning as JaQuon Parker has joined the staff as an undergraduate student assistant coach. Starts next week.

http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-baskb...13aad.html

Former University of Cincinnati guard JaQuon Parker is returning to the Bearcats basketball program as an undergraduate student assistant coach beginning next week, UC head coach Mick Cronin announced on Thursday.

Parker, who played for the Bearcats from 2010-13, signed with a professional basketball team in Finland in June and later played briefly in the NBA Developmental League.

"JaQuon realized that finishing a couple of classes and getting his degree was the most important thing for his future and that basketball will still be out there for him," Cronin said. "We are excited to have him back in our program. I think he can really help the current players on our team in his new role."

Parker averaged 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds during his four-year career with the Bearcats. As a senior, he averaged a career-best 10.9 points and shot 40.0 percent (40 of 100) from three-point range. He helped lead the Bearcats to 93 wins, three 20-win seasons, three NCAA tournament appearances (including the 2012 NCAA Sweet 16) and a BIG EAST Championship runner-up finish during his career.

"I'm really excited to be back with the Bearcats family while I complete my degree," Parker said. "I'm hoping to help the team and Coach Cronin in any way that I can."

Really good news. A.) He's getting his degree finished up and B.) We get a great kid working with the program. Good news all around.

Heck, he could suit up and just serve as a practice player to help out there as well.

Good news.

Did not know a grad assistant could be an undergrad.

nice. one of my favorite bearcats. i think he's talented and smart enough to make it as a head coach one day

Great news. A "win-win" for both JaQuon and the team.

(12-12-2013 10:48 AM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  Good news.

Did not know a grad assistant could be an undergrad.

It's a different classification for undergrads. He more than likely is actually in the named role of Student Manager, but is acting as an assistant coach due to his history with the team. You must be enrolled in a majority graduate level courses to become a graduate assistant in any facet at UC, as there is a different compensation level between GA's and Undergraduate Student Workers.

Agree that this is good news for all parties. My guess is he can informally scrimmage with the team and the young guards will be better for that. I always admired his toughness; he was fearless going to the hoop against bigger defenders.

(12-12-2013 10:27 AM)JPBearcat3 Wrote:  Heck, he could suit up and just serve as a practice player to help out there as well.

First thing that came to my mind is they needed him for practice, lol.

Maybe they could put Jeremiah Davis" jersey on JaQuan and run him out on the court. For away games maybe no one would even notice?