Pro Insight recently caught up with Parker Strauss, standout prospect from Pacifica Christian (CA). The 6’4” guard is coming off a great showing at Section 7 in Arizona, where he showed off his great feel for the game and winning mentality.
In this interview, Strauss talks about who he is as a player, and as a person. We also talked about his goals for the future and got an update on his recruitment.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2023 prospect Parker Strauss, from Newport Beach, California:
Pro Insight: How did you get to where you are today? Talk a bit about your background and your family.
Parker Strauss: Definitely hard work. I got my dad and my mom that have been alongside this journey with me since I was born. My dad’s been in the gym with me since about 5th grade when I decided to start taking basketball seriously. He’s been rebounding for me since then. My mom taught middle school. She’d help me on the days I’d come home from school. She’d help me rebound, I’d go home, rest, then go back with my pops. It’s just been a constant journey of working hard, knowing the end goal, and striving towards that everyday.
PI: For those who aren’t familiar with your game, how would you describe it?
PS: I try to do it all — I try to be the hardest worker on the floor, take charges, try to get my teammates involved, that’s the most important thing.
PI: Switching gears, what are you looking for in a college program, both on and off the court?
PS: On the court, definitely the culture around it, one-through-fifteen, from the last guy to the first guy, everybody wants to win and everybody is together. The second thing is the relationship I have with the coaching staff, what they’re all about, how I fit them, and how they fit me. Off the court, [pauses] I just wanna hoop, I don't really care [laughs].
PI: What schools have you been hearing from as of late?
PS: Offers have been Houston Baptist, South Alabama, Cal Poly, Portland, Wyoming, New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Rice, Colorado State, Lehigh, and I’m hearing from Dartmouth, Princeton, UCSB, Cornell, Cal State-Fullerton, Liberty, Penn, Cal State-Northridge, and maybe a few more.
PI: Any schools you’d like to hear from that haven’t reached out yet?
PS: Not really, I want to go where I’m wanted, and where’s the best fit. I think whatever God has planned for me is the best fit for me.
PI: What is your dream NIL deal?
PS: I would have to say Canes…is there anything better than some fried chicken? [laughs]
PI: What are your biggest goals finishing out the summer and heading into the high school season?
PS: Obviously finishing out AAU as best I can, and try to get some more interest and offers. Just play hard and whatever happens, happens. Definitely looking forward to the high school season, I think we have a great group. Definitely the goal is to be CIF Champions and State Champions. I think we can get it this year.
PI: What are your passions off the court?
PS: Just hanging out with my family, doing whatever with both my brothers, as long as I’m with them.
PI: Did your brothers play, too? Or are you the only athlete in the family?
PS: Yeah, they both played in high school. They’re both older than me, one’s three years older and one’s six years older. They both played a little bit ago, that’s how I grew up.
PI: What's the best advice you've ever received?
PS: “Rest at the end, not in the middle.”
PI: At the end of the day what do you want to be remembered for?
PS: I just want to be remembered for how I inspire people, how I try to bring people together, and how hard I play.