Robert Parish (Part 1)

Robert Lee Parish, born on August 30, 1953, is renowned as an American former professional basketball player who dominated the court as a 7'1" center in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Parish's illustrious career spanned from 1976 to 1997, during which he showcased his exceptional skills and became a legend in the sport.
Parish's most iconic tenure was with the Boston Celtics, where he spent 14 remarkable years. Teaming up with fellow Hall-of-Fame forwards Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, Parish formed one of the most formidable front lines in NBA history. Together, they achieved extraordinary success, winning three NBA championships and leaving an indelible mark on the league.


Parish's journey to NBA stardom began during his college years at Centenary College, where he displayed outstanding talent and garnered attention from professional teams. Drafted three times, including twice by American Basketball Association (ABA) teams, Parish ultimately landed with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA in 1976. After four seasons with the Warriors, Parish was traded to the Boston Celtics in 1980, marking the beginning of his legendary partnership with Bird and McHale.
Known as the "Big Three," Parish, Bird, and McHale formed a dominant force on the Celtics, capturing the hearts of fans and achieving unparalleled success on the court. Parish's contributions to the team's three NBA championships solidified his status as a basketball icon.


Despite leaving the Celtics as a free agent after the 1993–1994 season, Parish continued to make significant contributions to the game. He went on to play two more seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and one with the Chicago Bulls, where he secured another NBA championship in 1997, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greatest players.
Parish's remarkable career was defined by his NBA-record 1,611 games played, showcasing his unparalleled longevity and dedication to the game. Renowned for his strong defense, exceptional rebounding, and signature high-trajectory jump shot, Parish earned numerous accolades throughout his career. He was a nine-time NBA All-Star, a four-time NBA champion, and a revered member of the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the sport, the Boston Celtics retired Parish's jersey in 1998, honoring his indelible impact on the franchise. Parish's remarkable achievements culminated in his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, solidifying his place among the all-time greats of the game.


Robert Parish, born to Robert Sr. and Ada Parish, is the eldest among their four children. His remarkable journey in basketball began at a young age, as he exhibited exceptional height even in the seventh grade, standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, catching the attention of junior high coach Coleman Kidd.
Despite initially favoring other sports such as football, baseball, and track, Parish's potential in basketball was recognized by Coach Kidd, who encouraged him to pursue the sport. Coach Kidd played a pivotal role in Parish's development, often visiting his family home to ensure his attendance at basketball practices and providing him with the necessary support and guidance.
Parish's journey continued at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, under the mentorship of Coach Ken Ivy. Excelling on the basketball court, he earned numerous accolades, including All-American, All-State, All-District, and All-City honors in 1972. Parish's leadership and talent were instrumental in leading Woodlawn High School to victory in the 1972 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class AAAA state championship, showcasing his early prowess in the sport.


Robert Parish's collegiate career at Centenary College of Louisiana was marked by controversy due to NCAA regulations and penalties. Despite being highly impressed by the coaching staff at Centenary, Parish faced significant obstacles in his college basketball journey.
The controversy stemmed from the NCAA's strict academic eligibility rules and Centenary's attempt to convert Parish's standardized test score to meet NCAA requirements. While Centenary had previously converted scores for other athletes without repercussions, Parish's case drew attention from the NCAA.
The NCAA ruled that Parish, along with four other basketball players whose test scores were converted, were ineligible to play varsity basketball due to the violation of regulations.


Centenary faced probation for six years and was barred from postseason play during that period. Additionally, the NCAA refused to acknowledge Centenary's basketball program in its annual press guides and excluded its results and statistics from weekly statistics.
Despite these challenges, Parish's talent and contributions to Centenary's basketball program were undeniable. He led the team to an impressive record of 87-21 during his tenure, with notable achievements such as spending 14 weeks in the AP Top 20 poll, particularly during his senior season in 1975–76. Parish's individual statistics, including averages of 21.6 points and 16.9 rebounds per game, were remarkable, although they were not officially recognized by the NCAA due to the controversy surrounding his eligibility.
Parish's collegiate career was thus overshadowed by the NCAA's decision, which rendered him an "invisible man" in the eyes of official NCAA records. Despite this setback, Parish's talent and achievements at Centenary remain a significant part of his basketball legacy.

References

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3. Moses, Sam (December 8, 1975). "Invisible In The Post". Sports Illustrated. p. 1. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
4. ^ Pickle, David (Summer 2008). "Prop 48: 25 Years Later". NCAA Champion Magazine. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
5. a b "Robert Parish". 2009–10 Centenary Gents Basketball Media Guide. Centenary Sports Information. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
6. ^ "Division I All-Time Individual Leaders: Rebound Average (Since 1973)" (PDF). Official 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Record Book. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
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8. The NCAA lists seasons by the calendar years in which they end.
9. ^ Moses, Sam (December 8, 1975). "Invisible In The Post". Sports Illustrated. p. 2. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
10. a b c May, Peter (September 4, 2003). "May: Chief was no big stiff". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
11. ^ Owens, Tim (February 20, 2018). "Robert Parish's college records will be recognized by NCAA". KTALNews.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
12. ^ "NCAA to recognize Robert Parish's Centenary statistics". shreveporttimes.com. February 19, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
13. a b King, Jay (March 26, 2016). "Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish remembers argument with Michael Jordan, Danny Ainge's great prank on Johnny Most and more". masslive.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
14. "Robert Parish Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
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16. ^ Anderson, Kevin (January 11, 2011). "Bird, Parish and McHale: Won't The Real Big Three Please Stand Up?". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.