Derek Parker

Derek Parker

Joined: Apr 24, 2024

Derek is co-founder and publisher for Draft Digest and Inside The Thunder for Fan Nation, powered by Sports Illustrated. He has been a sports writer in the Oklahoma City market for five years now, primarily covering the NBA Draft and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Oct 30, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) shoots as Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Zach Edey Scores 13 Points in Grizzlies’ Loss

Oct 25, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) dunks for a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

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Raptors’ Second Round Pick Exceeds Expectations as New Starter

Oct 25, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) goes to the basket against Golden State Warriors forward Lindy Waters III (43) during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

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Utah Jazz Rookies Stand Out in Loss to Kings

Oct 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham (4) dribbles up court in front of New York Knicks guard Landry Shamet (44) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Rookie Rob Dillingham Yet to Play for Timberwolves

Oct 14, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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Ranking the NBA’s Active No. 1 Draft Picks

From LeBron James to Zaccharie Risacher, ranking the league’s No. 1 draftees.

Oct 24, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) reaches for the ball in front of Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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Alex Sarr Sets Wizards' Record Through Three Games

Washington’s No. 2 pick hasn’t seen a sparkling start, but has been impressive on the defensive end of the court.

Oct 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with center Zach Edey (14) during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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NBA Rookies to Watch Tonight: Zach Edey, Dalton Knecht, Alex Sarr

Three rookies to watch in tonight’s loaded NBA slate.

Oct 27, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reach for a loose ball during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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Hawks’ No. 1 Pick Sees Quality Game Versus OKC Thunder

Atlanta’s No. 1 draft pick saw the best performance of his short career on Sunday.

Oct 26, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

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Raptors' Former Lottery Pick Finding his NBA Footing

Toronto guard Gradey Dick is beginning to find his rhythm in the NBA.

Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) dribbles during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

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Rookie Dalton Knecht Leads Lakers Bench Against Kings

In a Western Conference shootout, rookie Dalton Knecht led the Lakers bench in scoring.

Oct 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) controls the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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Rookie Ryan Dunn Provides Bench Spark for Phoenix Suns

Phoenix draftee Ryan Dunn is already showing off a budding new skillset.

Oct 25, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) shoots under pressure from New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

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Trail Blazers Former No. 3 Pick Finding NBA Rhythm

Through a few games in the 2024-25 season, Scoot Henderson has looked more controlled and consistent.

Oct 25, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) shoots the ball over Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

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How Grizzlies’ Zach Edey Fared Versus the Rockets

Zach Edey bounced back from his disappointing NBA Debut on Friday night.

Oct 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) tries to shoot the ball over Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

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Grizzlies’ Zach Edey Looks to Bounce Back Against Rockets

After fouling out in just 15 minutes, Memphis’ rookie Zach Edey will look to rebound against the Houston Rockets.

Oct 11, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) in the second quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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NBA’s No. 2 Pick Struggles in Debut with Wizards

The 2024 NBA Draft’s second overall pick saw a rough opener to start his career with Washington.

Sep 30, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) takes part in Pelicans Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

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Pelicans’ Yves Missi Dazzles in NBA Debut

New Orleans’ shiniest new center saw a strong NBA debut on Wednesday night.