Unsigned Senior Spotlight - Parnell Pierre

Monday, May 18th, 2020

New Jersey native Parnell Pierre began his career at Roselle Catholic, a basketball powerhouse in his home state, before transferring to Lawrence Academy for the 2018-19 school year. 

After a strong junior campaign and similarly successful AAU season with the DC Blue Devils, expectations were high coming into his senior year with Pierre aspiring to play his way into recruitment from schools in the Patriot League or Sun Belt Conference. 

Unfortunately, that's when adversity hit as a late-summer Achilles injury cost him the vast majority of his senior season. Adversity though, reveals character, and to hear Pierre's coaches and teammates tell it, he met his rehab with the same maturity and commitment he is known for, getting back for the tail end of the season. 

Now, Pierre is exploring a post-grad year in hopes of getting another chance to play his way to the division I level. 

Prospect Profile

Height: 5'9"
Position: Guard
School: Lawrence Academy
2018-19 Stats: 10pts, 6asts, & 3stls per game

Academics Qualifications

• Roselle Catholic 2016-18 - Dean's List
• Lawrence Academy 2018-19 - Honor Roll
• Lawrence Academy 2019-20 - High-Honor Roll

Personal Statement

I’ve been playing basketball since I was 5 with my older brothers. My dream has always been to play at the collegiate level. I transferred out of Roselle Catholic to play in the NEPSAC AA with Lawrence Academy. I have strong ball handling skills, quick hands, and a high basketball IQ. I am a team captain/leader and try to lead by example while also encouraging my teammates. I am very coachable and strive to be one of the hardest working players for any team I am a part of. Coach would describe my game as someone who can see the entire floor, a solid 3-point shooter, and crafty around the basket. I am a very good defender who loves playing 94 in a press, and opportunistic around the ball and in passing lanes. My support system is great and a lot of people I look up to that motivate and inspire my journey. I have worked very hard this year to get my body in shape and grown tremendously in all aspects of the game.

Off the court, I study hard and maintain a high GPA. I also volunteer during the summer at my mother’s daycare helping the next generation of talent. I want to attend a college where I can push myself in the classroom and on the basketball court. I am open to all options and want to ultimately find the right college match at the highest level of competition possible. I hope to become a great role model to all peers and make my parents proud.

Recommendations

"Parnell is a special player and teammate.  He's been with us at Lawrence Academy for the past two years as a very mature, skilled and savvy combo guard who is equally comfortable at both spots on the floor.  After showing great promise as a junior, Parnell suffered an Achilles injury in August that caused him to miss all but a few minutes in the last two games of this season.  Needless to say, it has been a difficult year for Parnell, but his maturity, leadership and commitment are some of the most impressive I've seen in an 18 year old.

On the court, Parnell has a very mature game.  At 5'9, he's a smaller guard, but the injury has improved his commitment to his body and athleticism.  He's strong and explosive. He is an extension of the coaching staff.  He understands game situations, his teammates, and what opponents are trying to do on the floor. He reads the game very well and rarely makes mental errors.  He's a slick ball handler who has excellent vision, and he delivers the ball effectively in transition.  In many cases, he creates fast break opportunities when one is seemingly not there.  He's a solid 3 point shooter and is very skilled scoring in the lane with a wide variety of finishes with both hands.  On the defensive side, Parnell is solid on the ball and very opportunistic off the ball.  He steps into passing lanes, reads penetration, and makes all the right slides and rotations as a help defender.  He makes our team defense better.  Regardless of the situation on the floor, Parnell needs to be in the game.

As much as he will contribute to the game, Parnell's character is even more attractive to a coaching staff.  Although he was sidelined with the injury, Parnell is a quiet but natural leader.  He's terrific with young players and makes a seamless bridge between the locker room and the coaching staff.  He's a great student athlete to have on campus. He's friendly with a wide variety of peer groups and a mature, responsible, and talented student.  If you need this kid to play 40 minutes or 40 seconds, you need him on your roster, and you'll never think twice about it.  My only regret is that we had Parnell for 2 years and not 4."
- Kevin Wiercinski, Head Coach, Lawrence ACademy

"I've played with Parnell for two years, since the start he has been a great teammate. An extremely unselfish and smart basketball player. On the court there are not many holes in his game as he can do everything from scoring to facilitating and defending. A very good friend of mine and a great person off the basketball court as well. Very mentally tough, fought through injuries and could have given up but battled through missing games to get back to the high level he was at. Quiet but leads by action. Takes academics very seriously being a high level student. Parnell is a great overall person and a great fit for any team."
- Matt Ragan, teammate, Lawrence Academy

Scouting Report

Pierre is a creative and ultra-crafty guard with a big bag of tricks at up his sleeve to compensate for his lack of size. More than that though, his intangibles are off the charts according to essentially everyone he has been around. He understands how to make his size work for him, getting into small crevices in the defense that others wouldn't be able to explore and then converting unexpected passes and finishes that catch defenders off guard. He can also shoot the ball with range, score with tear-drop floaters, and be an asset on the defensive end of the floater. His leadership skills and overall competitiveness makes those around him better as well. 

Video Highlights

---