Chandler Parsons

Chandler Evan Parsons (born October 25, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Florida Gators and was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 38th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. Between 2011 and 2020, Parsons played in the NBA for the Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks before injuries caused by a drunk driver forced him into retirement. Post-retirement, he became a sports commentator, including currently as the co-host of FanDuel online show Run It Back.

Parsons was born in Casselberry, Florida, and attended Lake Howell High School alongside future fellow Florida Gator Nick Calathes. Together, Parsons and Calathes helped the Lake Howell Silverhawks high school basketball team advance to the Florida Class 5A state basketball championship final four in 2005, 2006 and 2007, winning the state championship in 2007. As a senior, Parsons was a first-team all-state selection, and was recognized as the most valuable player of the state championship game after scoring thirty points and grabbing ten rebounds.

Parsons accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Billy Donovan's Florida Gators men's basketball team from 2007 to 2011. Parsons commented that playing for four years under Donovan gave him an advantage over other players who left the team early.

During his freshman season, Parsons played in 36 games averaging 8.1 points per game and 4.0 rebounds per game, but the Gators failed to make the NCAA Tournament. During the 2008–09 season, Parsons saw more playing time and his scoring, rebounding, and assists all improved. The Gators once again failed to make the NCAA tournament, though.

In his junior season, Parsons averaged 12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. On January 3, 2010, Parsons hit a 75-foot shot with no time left in overtime to give the Gators a one-point victory over North Carolina State. The Gators were invited to the NCAA Tournament, but lost to BYU in the first round.

During the 2010–11 season, Parsons averaged 11.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game while leading the Gators to the best regular-season record in the SEC. On January 23, 2011, the Gators trailed South Carolina by one when Parsons hit a three-point shot to give the Gators the win. On March 8, 2011, he was named the 2011 SEC Player of the Year, becoming the first Florida Gator to win that honor.

The Gators also made the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. In the first three rounds of the tournament, the Gators beat UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, and BYU. In the Elite Eight, the Gators lost to Butler. Parsons was picked to the All-America fifth team by Fox Sports. Parsons graduated from Florida with a degree in telecommunications.

Parsons was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 38th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. He played three games with French team Cholet Basket during the 2011 NBA lockout.