Walker Brittain CFNN Reporter

For the first time in the Cape Fear News Network history Athlete of the Week is a freshman. 

Tremayne Parker scored 18 points in his high school debut against Terry Sanford. Many of these points came off emphatic slam dunks. He almost had a triple double pulling down 12 rebounds to go along with 8 assists and 2 steals. Despite not getting a triple double, a double-double in his first high school game is still quite an achievement.

He will spend this winter representing the Colts but when  Summer comes he will go back to competing at the highest level for teenage athletes.

“I played against LeBron James Jr. and Zaire Wade, Dwayne Wade’s son,” said Parker. “It’s good to play against them because it gives you a lot of confidence. You got to play against tough competition in order to keep getting better and better.”

Parker is currently ranked by Coast 2 Coast Preps as 3rd best player in North Carolina and as the 46th best player in the country for the Class of 2023. He’s one spot behind former NBA Player Nate Robinson’s son, Nahmier Robinson, and 22 spots below Bronny James.

“Everytime I play big time players and big time names there is always a lot of people there so that just fuels me to be better and work harder because I want to show the world that I’m better than them,” said Parker. “You play with great teammates but you must have confidence in yourself in order to lead them to bring them up, and make them better players.”

Parker first experienced  AAU and private school basketball watching his brother, Kweshaun Parker, put together crazy highlight reels that would get millions of views on YouTube and SportsCenter.  Kweshaun now plays at North Carolina A&T in Durham, NC.

As a freshman, Parker has already experienced more through AAU than most senior players before even playing a high school game, while also generating exposure as one of the top freshmen in the country.

“Tremayne is already starting to become a Division 1 player,” said Senior Chase Dawkins, Tremayne’s Cape Fear teammate. “His court vision and IQ is improving everyday. He will be a major asset to us winning games this season.”

Locally, Trinity Christian School, Fayetteville Academy, and Northwood Temple are the primary landing spots for Cumberland County’s top basketball players. Trinity Christian recently produced Dennis Smith who played one year at NC State, but now plays for the New York Knicks after being drafted in the top ten in 2017 NBA Draft.

However, Parker has decided to be a Colt this year, starting his high school career at Cape Fear High School over the private schools with high hopes for his freshman season in blue and gold.

One thing is clear, Parker is not trying to be the next Dennis Smith. He is trying to be the first Tremayne Parker.

“We are going to have a great season, and hopefully it ends with a ring,” said Parker, who is living the hoop dream of most high school players in North Carolina. He has high hopes that this will lead to greatness at the college level.