Austin McNorton
Student Sports Media
The Butler men’s basketball team has a familiar face on campus. Former player Cameron Parker has been hired as an assistant basketball coach under Head Coach Bryan Miller.
Parker played for the Grizzlies as a walk on for the 2014-15 season. The team had one of their best years to date as they went 29-4 on the season. The Grizzlies won the Jayhawk West Conference championship and went on to play in the NJCAA tournament.
After leaving Butler, Parker went on to be a student at Wichita State where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. During the last year Miller called Parker and asked if he was interested in a coaching position. Parker had to turn it down as he said that he needed to focus on his schooling first. Then, over the summer, Miller called again as it regarded to being a coach.
This time, Parker said, “I couldn’t turn the job down twice. I am excited to see how this team can come together as a unit. When I played here, our team really gelled well together and that is why we were so successful. Overall, the blueprint is there, the question is is if we can get it done.”
Butler had a strong season last year finishing 19-13 on the season and made it to the Region six semifinals where they lost to the eventual National Champions Hutchinson Community College 105 to 103.
Returning for the current season will be starting forward Ketarrious Bouchum as well as starting guard Karlon McSpadden. Having experience at these positions is crucial for leadership on offense.
This year the team also has a returning guard a redshirt freshman Justin Criddle. Criddle is a point guard out of Paola high school looking to replace the loss of LaJuan Hardy. Last year Criddle was not able to play because of a torn ACL, so the question will be how cautious he will be on that knee this season.