Smush Parker, a former undrafted free agent guard out of Fordham, is working on making his way back to the NBA hardwood.
Parker played six seasons in the NBA, including two seasons as the starting point guard for the Lakers. Now 41 years old, however, he no longer plans on stepping on the floor as a player. Instead, he says, he hopes to make his return to the league as a referee.
The Brooklyn native, who played in the NBA and the NBA’s development league and enjoyed a professional basketball career overseas, has experience as a referee on the court in The Basketball League. Parker played in TBL as well.
There’s only been 3 other Former NBA Athletes to make the journey back into the NBA as an Official
Bernie Fryer
Leon Wood
Haywoode WorkmanI’m working on being the 4th..!!!#NBA#JourneyBackToTheNBA https://t.co/DZW4KV1amr
— Smush Parker (@SmushParker21) January 11, 2023
Parker tweeted that he wants to become the fourth former NBA player to ever become an official NBA referee.
He noted the others are Bernie Fryer, Leon Wood, and Haywoode Workman.
Fryer was the former Director of Officials for the NBA. Wood is in his 27th season as a referee. Workman has collaborated with the league office to help recruit other former NBA players to become referees.
This would be a massive step for Parker if he is serious about this pursuit.
