DeEnd is Here: Parker Commits to Bears

City College of San Francisco point guard De'End Parker has officially put an end to his recruitment today, committing to play for Mike Montgomery and the Cal basketball program.

"Cal is a great school, and I always knew that I was going to most likely commit to Cal," Parker said on Friday afternoon. "I always knew that I wanted to pursue a Cal degree. It was just time. I didn't want to prolong anything anymore. I didn't want to make Cal feel like I was being aloof or anything, or that I was bigger than them or thought that I could do better or anything like that."

Parker had intended on making his decision after he and the Rams made a run at the state title, but instead he pulled the trigger early this afternoon after watching the Bears down another one of his suitors -- UCLA -- in person on Sunday.

"For me, I'm a winner," Parker said. "I love to win. With them being able to beat the big-time programs, to be able to come back and fight to win tough games like that, it shows me that they're winners, too. I'd love to be a part of that and keep the winning going."

Parker also caught the dramatic comeback win over Oregon on television Thursday night.

"I did, I did, and it was crazy," Parker said. "I talked with Coach Montgomery, and he said they came out flat, and I said, 'Yeah, I saw the first half, and they came out flat,' and then they turned it up in the second half. They changed the game."

Parker got his official scholarship offer from the Bears about two weeks ago, and for the graduate of Lincoln High in San Francisco, it was a dream come true.

"It's a big offer. Once I got it, all of my family members were really happy," Parker said at the time. "They were like, 'We definitely want you to go to Cal,' and 'We'd love it if you went to Cal,' so it was very big. My mom was very proud of me."

Parker said on Friday that he loved the staff, and felt a special bond even in their brief times together.

"I really like Coach Montgomery, and I think he does a terrific job," Parker said. "I'm just ready to be a part of it."

Parker and CCSF will play Butte Community College at 7 PM on Saturday in the first round of the playoffs at City.