RUSSELVILLE, Ark. – Ouachita junior Christian Parks was named the Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season, the league announced Monday.
It's become inevitable for shots to be sent off the glass or spiked into the crowd when Parks is on the floor. Ouachita's interior defender has a block in 13 out of 14 games this season, while contributing multiple blocks in 11 outings. Parks owns five of the GAC's top 10 single-game shot-blocking performances this season, which is a testament to both his consistency and ability to take over games on the defensive end.
After anchoring a dominant defensive effort in a pair of road victories in Oklahoma, Parks has the Tigers on perhaps the best start in program history. Across two wins over Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State, Parks grabbed 19 rebounds and totaled seven blocks, repeatedly erasing scoring chances at the rim. He swatted away five shots in the 78-63 victory over the Rangers, then delivered a pair of blocks in a 61-56 win against the Bulldogs.
Parks leads the GAC with 38 blocks, tied for seventh nationally among Division II players. That total stands 18 blocks clear of the next closest defender in the GAC, underscoring the presence he has created as the Tigers' rim protector.
"Chris just has a natural feel for the game," Ouachita head coach Dennis Nutt said. "He is the perfect complement to our perimeter defenders. Whether it's helping on ball screens or switching, he is always there."
Through 14 games, Parks is averaging 9.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. Many of his biggest contributions on the hardwood never appear in the box score, because opponents are forced to alter shots and make business decisions while driving inside the lane.
The Meridian, Mississippi native blossomed into the rim protector of a defense that is rewriting the program's standards. Ouachita leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing opponents to reach just 58.8 points per game. The Tigers rank second nationally in defensive field goal percentage and rank 12th in Division II averaging 5.0 blocks as a team.
Ouachita owns a 12-2 overall record with an unblemished 8-0 mark in GAC play, the best start for the men's basketball program in its Division II era. The Tigers received three votes in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches poll, a reflection of their growing reputation as one of the most difficult teams to find the net against in America.
The Tigers will look to keep their win streak rolling and 'Release the Roar' on Thursday as Ouachita hosts Oklahoma Baptist inside Bill Vining Arena. Tip-off for the men's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
