State College, Pa. - April 19, 2004 - Penn State Nittany Lion basketball coach Ed DeChellis received his second signed National Letter of Intent with the signing of Missouri junior college stand-out Travis Parker (Greenville, N.C.) A native of North Carolina, Parker is coming off his second outstanding season at Southwest Missouri State-West Plains.

Parker, a 6-6, 240-pound forward, helped guide SMSU-West Plains to a 24-8 record and an appearance in the NJCAA Region 16 championship game. A talented and strong front court player, Parker will have two years of eligibility at Penn State.

"Travis has the skills to be a perimeter four-man because of his shooting and passing ability, but possesses the physical stature to score in the post," DeChellis said. "We feel he has the ability to have an impact on our front court this season."

Parker, who played for head coach Tom Barr at West Plains, earned NJCAA All-Region 16 laurels this past season after averaging 13.7 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per contest. A versatile player who sees the floor well, Parker also averaged 2.5 assists per game and 1.4 steals per contest. Parker shot 46 percent from the floor, 40 percent from three-point land and 75 percent from the free throw line.

Playing his high school ball at North Pitt High School in Greenville, N.C., Parker was an All-Region selection as a senior in both basketball and football. Travis also helped guide NPHS to a state title on the hardwood during his senior campaign. An outstanding athlete, Parker was recruited out of high school in both basketball and football (as a wishbone quarterback).

Parker joins incoming freshmen Geary Claxton (West Haven, Conn.), who signed on Wednesday, Danny Morrissey (Cleveland, Ohio) and Mike Walker (Lewisberry, Pa.) in this year's class of four Nittany Lion recruits. Penn State could still offer two more scholarships for the upcoming season.