
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993                   TAG: 9310010265
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

HIGHLANDERS GET 6-9 PLAYER

After several seasons of coming up short in the post, Radford University's basketball program came up big for the second time in less than a week when it received an oral commitment from 6-foot-9 Eric Parker of Decatur, Ga.

Parker committed to the Highlanders this week after visiting the campus last weekend. Radford received a commitment from 6-7 Kevin Robinson of Monocan High School last weekend. Both players are expected to officially sign with Radford during the early-signing period, Nov. 10-17.

Parker, who has ranked among the top post players in Georgia, said he cancelled visits to Florida and North Carolina Charlotte after visiting Radford.

"I wanted to go to a school where I felt I could contribute," Parker said. "I feel like if I work hard and do the things I need to do, I'll make an impact there and in the [Big South] conference."

Radford, which slumped to 15-16 last year after back-to-back 20-win seasons, has experienced success the past few years despite a lack of offensive and defensive production from the post.

Last summer, Parker's 17-and-under AAU team, the DeKalb Spartans, advanced to the national tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C., after winning the Georgia state championship.

"I feel like I could have played in any conference," Parker said. "I feel like I could take the Big South and put it on the map."

by CNB