"Homegrown Hunger: A Mountain Made Decision"

Carter Parsons

@Real_CP1

6'2, Class of 2026

Pikeville HS, KY

Committed to UPIKE

There comes a moment in every athlete’s journey when an opportunity stops feeling like an option and starts feeling like destiny. For this rising competitor, that moment came when UPike stopped being just another school and started feeling like home. The connection was not overnight. It was built over years of conversations with Coach Compton and his staff, competing in front of them, building trust, and watching the culture from up close. When he transferred to Pikeville, everything aligned. The community felt different. The energy was real. The commitment to skill development and daily competition was undeniable. He saw a program that wakes up ready to compete every single day, and that mindset fits exactly who he is.

Behind the scenes, before the offers, before the recognition, before the commitment graphic, there was simply the grind. Since he could walk, he has had a basketball in his hands. The love for the game has never faded. It is the daily work of shots going up.l, ball-handling sessions, conditioning, film, and repetition after repetition when nobody is watching. Coach JP and Coach Elisha Justice played a massive role in that development, sharpening his skills and pushing him to become the best version of himself. There were no shortcuts. Just sweat equity and belief.

Adversity has never been foreign to missed shots, tough losses, and doubt creeping in when things did not go as planned. But instead of folding, he attacked it head-on. When shots were not falling or a big game slipped away, he responded by getting back in the gym and working ten times harder. His mindset is to trust God’s path. If the work is consistent, progress will show. Every setback became fuel.

Faith has been the foundation through it all. Growing up in church and being there every Sunday, his relationship with God has guided not just recruiting decisions but life itself. When the pressure mounted, he prayed. When choices needed to be made, he talked to God and trusted that the right door would open. His parents kept him grounded, offering wisdom about life beyond basketball and helping him see the bigger picture. Their guidance ensured this decision was not just about basketball, but about growth, development, and the right environment.

The mentors who poured into him made a lasting impact. Coach Elisha Justice answered every question about the next level and shared firsthand insight from playing on the biggest stage. Coach JP invested deeply in his skill development and set the standard for daily improvement, especially with his own ties to UPike. Both men became more than coaches. They became role models, showing him what it truly takes to compete beyond high school.

Now the next chapter begins.

What makes him a perfect fit for UPike is his competitive fire and love for winning. He thrives in environments where iron sharpens iron, where every workout is intense, and every practice feels like a battle. He is stepping onto campus determined to compete, contribute, and bring high energy every single day. Fans can expect dedication, relentless work ethic, and a player who refuses to take possessions off. Tournament play this season will be approached with the same edge and hunger, and once he puts on a UPike uniform, that intensity will only grow stronger.

To the younger players chasing the same dream, his message is to keep working and get better every single day. The days add up, so make them count. When things get rough, turn to God. Trust Him. Listen to your coaches. Stay patient. The unseen hours matter more than the spotlight moments.

This commitment is not just about a signature, but alignment. It is about faith, community, and stepping into a program that feels like home while attacking the next level with everything he has. UPike is getting a competitor who has been built in the gym, grounded in faith, and driven by purpose.

I assess that UPike is adding a competitor who understands sacrifice, structure, and daily accountability. His foundation is built on discipline, faith, and repetition, which translates directly into a program’s culture. He embraces development, values coaching, and thrives in environments where effort is demanded. His commitment to improvement and willingness to be coached make him a long-term asset. Programs grow stronger when players like this step into the locker room because they elevate standards without needing attention to do it.

Expect steady growth and increasing impact. As he transitions fully into the college level, his consistency, confidence, and competitive edge will continue to expand. The ceiling is high because his work ethic is not seasonal. It is daily. Moving forward, he projects as a player who will embrace pressure moments, compete for minutes early, and develop into a reliable presence within the rotation. With continued development and the right system around him, he has the tools and mentality to build a meaningful college career and potentially push beyond it.