The ready is the toughest for 2023 Ohio State commit Austin Parks.
In early June, Parks and his St. Marys Memorial teammates made the journey down US-33 to take part in OSU’s group camp. The Roughriders had three video games to play within the span of some hours, however their main weapon may solely watch from the bench.
It isn’t long-term, however Parks’ proper knee harm is sufficient to have saved him out of camp and probably his remaining summer time of AAU basketball.
Ohio State basketball insider: Keep within the know with texts from beat reporter Adam Jardy
“I imply, it is superior attending to play right here for our small city and a faculty like us,” he stated. “I do know my time will come finally. Proper now I’ve simply received to take all of it in. ”
OSU basketball commit Austin Parks nursing knee harm
A four-star heart within the 247Sports.com composite database, the 6-9, 240-pound Parks dedicated to the Buckeyes at a mid-February ceremony inside his highschool auditorium. When AAU season received underway this spring, Parks was enjoying for his Ohio Buckets group when one in every of his teammates was fouled.
“He fell again and his head hit my knee,” Parks stated. Sort of hyperextended, however I ended up fracturing a knee bone. It was in our first recreation about three-four weeks in the past. It hurts fairly dangerous. ”
Parks stated he walked round that weekend however sat out the rest of the video games earlier than then enjoying within the Nike Tremendous 16 occasion in Columbus Might 20-22. It wasn’t till the next week at some open gymnasium occasions that Parks began to really feel weak point in his knee.
Xavier Booker:After Ohio State camp look, Xavier Booker says he’ll take official go to to OSU
An MRI revealed the harm, and Parks was dealing with a six-week restoration. Because the Roughriders participated in Ohio State’s camp, Parks stated he was one week into that timetable with hopes of maybe enjoying within the remaining week of AAU basketball this July.
“I have no idea how shut my restoration will probably be for my final event, however it’ll be fairly shut,” he stated.
Parks on enjoying with Felix Okpara at Ohio State: ‘I am excited to play with him’
So as an alternative of taking part with the Roughriders, Parks watched his present teammates play on his future court docket. He additionally frolicked speaking with the Ohio State teaching workers and mingling with a few of his eventual faculty teammates. Parks stated he met freshmen Bruce Thornton and Felix Okpara, and he was seen speaking with redshirt freshman Kalen Etzler.
Okpara, a middle, is listed at 6-11, 210 kilos and will probably be a second-year participant when Parks arrives.
“I am excited as a result of I really feel like we generally is a very lethal entrance court docket, defensively and offensively,” Parks stated. “I really feel like we’re two very completely different gamers, however we would play collectively very effectively. I am excited to play with him. ”
Sean McNeil:Ohio State lands West Virginia switch guard Sean McNeil
For now, Parks stated he is attempting to take what he is studying from watching the sport and apply it to serving to St. Marys put together for his senior season. It is a lesson in persistence that Parks, who was persistently dribbling a basketball throughout breaks and earlier than and after video games, just isn’t significantly having fun with.
“I am all the time desirous to do one thing, shifting round and all that,” Parks stated. “I nonetheless go to all of the practices, and I am attempting to remain nonetheless; however it’s onerous, man, sitting again and watching. I do know it is for the perfect as a result of you do not need it to worsen, and it is higher for it to occur now than afterward when the season comes round. ”
‘I am prepared. I am getting excited. I’ve received no different phrases. I am simply excited for that point to come back ‘
As soon as wholesome, Parks stated he’ll deal with rebuilding his conditioning and enhancing his 3-point and mid-range capturing in addition to his ball dealing with.
He hopes all that pays off one 12 months from now when he’ll be a Buckeye.
“Anxious, man,” he stated. “I am prepared. I am getting excited. I’ve received no different phrases. I am simply excited for that point to come back. ”
ajardy@dispatch.com