Montana dips into transfer portal to land pair of Cams

Montana took a dive into the NCAA transfer portal and came away with a pair of Cams. Cameron Parker (6-2 guard from Sacred Heart) and Cameron Satterwhite (6-4 guard from Northern Arizona) signed scholarship agreements this week to continue their careers at Montana.

A variety of factors went into their decisions to come to Missoula, but before Griz Nation ever discounts the impact they have on a program, listen to what the new transfers had to say.

"I'm really excited, because I know that the Griz faithful shows out," Parker said. "I've heard about the support and have seen videos of the crowd. I'm used to around 600 or so fans, so I can't wait to play in Missoula."

"Definitely the crowd," Satterwhite commented about his influences while making his decision. "Montana is a team that takes advantage of its home court. Missoula is definitely behind Montana, and the city is behind the university. I would love playing with that energy in that arena."

Without a doubt, Griz Nation had an impact in landing the pair, and for good reason. Montana averaged more than 4,000 fans per game this past season, a better number than three Pac-12 programs.

While the pair are excited to suit up inside Dahlberg Arena, the feeling is reciprocated from the coaching staff.

"The biggest thing for us, we were looking to get older and gain some experience," head coach Travis DeCuire said. "We have a lot of youth coming in, and even the guys we had sitting out this past year, either they haven't played at the Division-I level or haven't played at the University of Montana. We felt that this was a team that could afford to be older and more experienced, so we added a couple pieces to accomplish that."

Satterwhite is someone DeCuire and the coaching staff were well aware of. Playing this past season for Northern Arizona, the Grizzlies faced Satterwhite twice this past spring, with Satterwhite scoring in double figures both times.

On the season, Satterwhite started 18 Big Sky contests and averaged 24.3 minutes per game for the Lumberjacks. He totaled 9.0 points per game on .427 shooting, knocking down 30 3-pointers (third on the team). He also averaged 2.4 rebounds per game, in addition to 27 assists and 16 steals. During league play, he was even better, averaging 10.2 points per game while shooting at a .410 clip from deep.

His desire to get back to the NCAA tournament, though, also played a large factor in him choosing to finish his career at Montana. Prior to his two seasons in Flagstaff (he redshirted in 2018-19 before playing a key role in 2019-20), Satterwhite spent two seasons at Loyola Chicago, where he played in 65 games.

Griz fans likely watched Satterwhite play without even knowing it. In 2018, Loyola Chicago won 32 games and made an improbable run to the Final Four. Then a sophomore, Satterwhite averaged 10.4 minutes per game that season. He played in four NCAA tournament games, notching two rebounds and a block in a Sweet 16 win over Nevada.

"I wanted to join a winning program; that was one of my main factors," Satterwhite said. "I want to get back to the tournament, so finding a program that has adopted a winning culture was huge. Next was the players, and finding a group I could play with and get along with. I found that in Montana. Even through this quarantine, I found that. I love the family aspect, and I can't wait to be part of it."

Satterwhite describes himself as a long, athletic wing who loves to play fast and get out in transition. He also prides himself on his defense.

"I like getting into passing lanes and taking on the challenge of going up against a team's best player."

And while he may be new to Montana, he's not new to the league and he has several years under his belt, allowing him to take on an expanded role right away.

"I'm not an underclassman, so I feel like I can bring that type of experience and leadership, not to mention my experience playing in the (NCAA) tournament," Satterwhite said. "It's every college basketball player's dream to get to the highest level, and I was blessed to have that. I learned so much from playing against high-, high-level schools and against guys who are so athletic and can jump high and just find ways to win.

"I'm excited to go through that with these guys at Montana. The goal is to get back to the NCAA tournament."

As an explosive player at Gilbert Christian in Arizona, Satterwhite was named the state's second-best prep prospect during his graduating year, winning a pair of state titles. He is expected to graduate from Northern Arizona in May with a degree in communications, and intends to work toward a master's degree in a journalism-related field while at Montana. As a graduate transfer, he will have one year of eligibility remaining.

"His length and athleticism stood out the most," DeCuire said of Satterwhite. "Our ability to defend has always been what's allowed us to compete for championships, and we thought that was something he could help us with, as well."

Making the process easier, the Griz coaching staff was already plenty familiar with Satterwhite, who played Montana twice this past season.

"When you scout, you look for danger zones and things you don't want to allow a player to do," DeCuire said. "We noticed some things about him on film, that now that he's on our side, can be an asset to us."

Parker may be less known to Griz fans, having played the past two seasons on the East Coast at Sacred Heart, but he earned plenty of national attention this past season when he set an NCAA record.

In a December victory over Pine Manor, Parker dished out an NCAA single-game record 24 assists.

The feat earned him plenty of attention, but it was far from an aberration. In the game prior, he dished out 16 assists while scoring 16 points, part of a four-game stretch in which he was in double figures for assists. On the season, he averaged 7.8 assists per game, a figure that would have ranked fourth nationally had he not broken his ankle and missed the season's final two months.

When Parker decided he wanted to transfer, he eventually narrowed his options down to two schools: Montana and Portland State, near his hometown of Beaverton, Oregon.

Montana won out, in large part because of the man leading the Grizzlies.

"I love getting assists, and what better way to learn than from the one who holds the record?" Parker said of DeCuire, who still holds Montana's career assists record. "He's been there before and can teach me a lot. I have a lot to learn, so being able to watch film with him will be a huge asset."

In two seasons at Sacred Heart, Parker played in 49 games, earning 38 starts. During his sophomore season, he averaged more than 31 minutes per game, and in addition to his gaudy assists numbers, averaged 10.2 points per game and nearly a steal per contest, as well. In 2019, he was named to the NEC All-Rookie Team after breaking the NEC single-season freshman assists record with 213 (6.9 average, which ranked seventh nationally).

In three seasons at Jesuit High School in Oregon, he scored 1,451 career points and advanced to the state title game as a sophomore. As a senior, while playing in one of the nation's top leagues, he was the Metro League Player of the Year after averaging 25.5 points and 6.1 assists per game. He participated in the Nike Elite 100 before a season at Tilton prep school, where he set more assists records, while playing alongside high-level competition.

"I enjoy getting assists more than anything else, and we have some guys on this team who can score," Parker said of his playing style. "My passing will always be there, but I'd like to be able to score a little bit more and get rebounds. I still have a lot of room to grow and get stronger, too."

Parker will have two years of eligibility remaining with Montana.

"Zach Payne did a phenomenal job hitting the ground and doing some homework on a list of guys who were available (through the transfer portal)," DeCuire said. "We got involved with Cam early, and we're really excited for what he can bring to our program."

DeCuire noted that many guards – including several all-time Montana greats in recent memory – are guards who primarily focus on scoring. Parker is a bit different in the sense that he's a pass-first guard.

"It's rare that you come across guards these days who can create for others, deliver the ball with timing and put finishers in finishing situations," DeCuire said. "This was one of my few opportunities to bring in a player who has proven at the Division-I level that he can distribute the ball as good as anybody in the country."

Not only that, though. DeCuire noted that what makes Parker even more special is that he can also shoot.

"The most difficult thing to do for a look-first guy is to realize he's open and to shoot it," DeCuire said.

Both transfers acknowledged how different the recruiting process was during COVID-19, with neither able to visit campus. Satterwhite made a trip to Montana in late December while with the Lumberjacks, while Parker – and don't hold this against him – made his only trip to the Treasure State in high school, when he went to a Montana State camp.

Parker, though, has several trusted sources who could talk up the Griz, including his cousin Samori Toure, a wide receiver on the UM football team. Parker also said he talked with several former Grizzlies, including Ahmaad Rorie, and got a virtual tour with the coaching staff sending videos of campus, facilities and Missoula.

"The thought of staying home (and playing for Portland State), was really exciting, and I had a lot of people pushing me to do that," Parker said. "Ultimately, though, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a Griz. The entire coaching staff has been talking to me since the day I entered the portal and really expressed how much they wanted me to be part of this program. I can't wait."

The pair of transfers join a four-person signing class that was announced in November, which features California natives Robert Beasley and Brandon Whitney, and Australians Josh Bannan and Hunter Clarke. Montana won back-to-back Big Sky Conference regular-season and tournament titles in 2018 and 2019, before winning 18 games in a shortened 2020 season.

He set an NCAA assists record a season ago, and now he's a member of #GrizHoops!

Welcome to Montana, @CameronParker23! #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/L9HSkFqPJt
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) April 21, 2020

CAMERON PARKER
2018-20 (Sacred Heart): Played two seasons at Sacred Heart, totaling 49 games played and 39 starts… Was one of nation's top passers, totaling 354 assists (7.2 per game)… Also recorded 370 points, 202 rebounds and 41 steals… Recorded six double-doubles and 12 games with 10 or more assists… As a sophomore in 2019-20, started Sacred Heart's first 18 games before suffering a season-ending injury (broken ankle)… Prior to that, was averaging 10.1 points, 7.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game… Assists average would have ranked fourth nationally across a full season… Set an NCAA single-game record with 24 assists vs. Pine Manor (Dec. 1, 2019)… One game prior, at Quinnipiac (Nov. 24, 2019), totaled 16 assists and 16 points… Only one other player nationally recorded 16 or more assists in 2019-20, which Parker did twice… Reached double figures for assists five times, including four games in a row from Nov. 24-Dec. 8, 2019… Scored in double figures in 11 of 18 contests, led by a career-high 23 at Binghampton (Nov. 16, 2019)…Pulled down six or more rebounds in eight of 18 contests, including a season-high eight on four occasions… Played in 31 games, earning 21 starts, as a freshman in 2018-19… Named to the NEC All-Rookie team after averaging 6.1 points, 6.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game… Broke the single-season NEC freshman assists record with 213… Led NEC and ranked seventh nationally with 6.9 assists per game… Scored a season-high 15 points in a win over Bryant (Feb. 19, 2019), knocking down five 3-pointers… Grabbed a career-high nine rebounds against St. Francis Brooklyn (Jan. 19, 2019).

High School: Is a 2017 graduate of Jesuit High School in Beaverton, Ore. … Named the Metro League Player of the Year as a senior, also earning first-team all-state honors… Averaged 25.5 points and 6.1 assists per game as a senior… As a three-year starter, led Jesuit to 58 wins and a Metro League title and state championship appearance as a sophomore… Graduated with 1,451 career points… Participated in the Nike Elite 100… Spent one season at Tilton School, a prestigious prep school in New Hampshire… Set Tilton assists records for a game and season… Helped Tilton to a NEPSAC AA championship, in addition to a Lakes Region title and the Final Four of the National Prep School Championships.

Personal: Hometown is Beaverton, Ore. … Parents are Keith and Kimberlie Parker… Has a younger brother, Tyson… Intends to study communications.

We got another Cam! Help us welcome Northern Arizona graduate transfer Cameron Satterwhite!#GrizHoops #GoGriz pic.twitter.com/QfYsPIegqT
— Montana Griz BB (@MontanaGrizBB) April 22, 2020

CAMERON SATTERWHITE
2018-20 (Northern Arizona): Spent two seasons at Northern Arizona, playing in 2019-20… Saw action in 29 contests, earning 18 starts (all in Big Sky play)… Averaged 24.3 minutes per game… Averaged 9.0 points per game, increasing that number to 10.2 during Big Sky Conference play… Shot .427 from the floor, including .380 from 3-point range, ranking second on the Lumberjacks with 30 made 3-pointers… Averaged 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists (third on NAU) and 1.0 steals per game (third)… Ranked second on the team with eight blocked shots… Was in double figures for scoring in 13 games, including six consecutive contests from Dec. 21, 2019-Jan. 11, 2020… Had a career game against Idaho State (Feb. 6, 2020), playing all 45 minutes of an overtime win… Scored a career-high 19 points while pulling down a personal-best eight rebounds… Knocked down multiple 3-pointers in seven games, including three triples on three occasions… Totaled career-high five assists vs. Idaho (Feb. 20, 2020)… Recorded a career-best four steals vs. UC Davis (Dec. 4, 2019)… Due to NCAA transfer rules, was required to redshirt during the 2018-19 season at NAU.

2016-18 (Loyola Chicago): Played two seasons for Loyola Chicago, appearing in 65 games… Was part of the Ramblers' 32-win 2017-18 season that included an improbable run in the NCAA tournament, with Loyola Chicago advancing to the Final Four… Played in four NCAA tournament games, notching two rebounds and a block in a Sweet 16 win over Nevada (March 22, 2018)… Averaged 10.4 minutes across 35 games that season, averaging 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game… Scored a season-high 12 points, in addition to six rebounds, in a win over Eureka College (Nov. 12, 2017)… Hit four clutch free throws in the late moments of a win over No. 5 Florida (Dec. 6, 2017)… Played 20 minutes against the Gators, totaling four points, four rebounds, three assists, one block and zero turnovers… Tallied three assists against Illinois State (March 4, 2018) in the Missouri Valley Conference title game, helping the Ramblers clinch their first NCAA tournament berth since 1985… As a freshman, averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds across 30 contests.

High School: Is a 2016 graduate of Gilbert Christian High School in Arizona… Rated as second-best prep recruit in his class in the state of Arizona, and 46^th-best guard nationally… Averaged 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting .530 from the floor and .390 from beyond the arc as a junior… Helped the Knights to back-to-back Arizona Division II state championships… Missed senior season due to injury… Won Arizona state slam dunk title… Played AAU for Power Basketball.

Personal: Hometown is Gilbert, Ariz. … Is expected to graduate from Northern Arizona in May, with a degree in communications… Intends to work toward a master's degree in a journalism-related field at UM.

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Montana dips into transfer portal to land pair of Cams

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