WHAT’S YOUR WHY? Featuring: Jacob Parks | Guard | Bob Jones High School

Some athletes grow up chasing attention. Others grow up learning that if you don’t outwork everyone around you, you get left behind. Jacob Parks was raised in the latter environment, and it shows in every part of his game.

From Huntsville, Alabama, Jacob learned early that effort isn’t optional. “Huntsville is full of hardworking people,” he says. “You either outwork everyone around you, or you get left behind quickly. There is not a in between.”

That mindset has shaped not only the way he plays basketball, but the way he approaches life.

Finding the Game That Fit

Jacob started playing sports as early as preschool, experimenting with nearly everything available to him. But as time passed, one sport stood above the rest.

“I played almost every sport I could,” he explains. “Basketball was the one that stuck.”

What began as exploration quickly turned into commitment and eventually into a pursuit fueled by purpose.

Competing While Overlooked

Jacob has never shied away from being underestimated. In fact, he embraces it.

“I’ve always been an overlooked player,” he says. “And I’m okay with that.”

His “why” is deeply personal. While he competes to prove that he belongs among the top 15 players in the state, there’s a quieter motivation behind every possession.

“My grandfather never got to see me play,” Jacob shares. “So, I compete knowing he’s always watching and rooting me on.”

That combination—chip-on-the-shoulder grit and heartfelt purpose, defines his approach.

Built by Family, Grounded by Faith

Jacob credits his parents as his biggest inspiration. Coming from nothing, they created opportunity through sacrifice.

“They didn’t have the chances I do,” he says. “I refuse to take that for granted.”

Over the past five years, Jacob’s “why” has sharpened. He’s learned that not every smile is support and not every cheer is genuine.

“If the love isn’t real, I don’t need it,” he says. “I’ll earn my respect through results.”

Faith anchors him through that clarity. Jesus plays a central role in his mindset, guiding him to pour into the gifts he’s been given with discipline and consistency.

The Work Behind the Confidence

Jacob’s weekly routine reflects a player committed to growth. He goes to school for basketball practice, adds individual workouts before or after, rests, refuels, and trains again if there’s a second session. When there’s no team practice, he commits to a full individual workout.

His pre-game routine is simple but consistent, pasta or a Subway sandwich, and a Whataburger milkshake the night before.

Recovery matters just as much. Ice baths, Normatec, and stretching help him stay prepared.

On the court, he’s focused on improving scoring off the dribble, knowing that creation ability separates good guards from trusted ones.

But the real difference-maker? Consistent effort.

Breaking Through Doubt

One of Jacob’s toughest challenges has been blocking out outside noise and staying true to his path.

“Everyone’s journey is different,” he says.

There was a moment during his junior year when doubt crept in. Collegiate basketball felt out of reach.

Recognition was scarce. Confidence was shaken.

Then came the breakthrough.

“I scored 30 points in the Huntsville City Classic championship game,” Jacob recalls.

That moment didn’t change who he was, it reminded him who he’d always been.

Under pressure, his thoughts are steady: “I think about the hours I’ve put in the gym. I remind myself I can make

the game-winning play. If not me, then who.”

Leadership Through Integrity

Teammates describe Jacob as attentive, locked in, present, and engaged.

Leadership, to him, is about integrity and example. Not volume. Not ego.

His military-based family background reinforced discipline, consistency, and the importance of serving

something bigger than yourself, values that now shape his future ambitions.

He also credits key community influences, including Terry Green and the SMB family, Ricky and the Global Grassroots family, and Kerry Johnson with the VSI family.

More Than an Athlete

Away from basketball, Jacob is deeply creative. He enjoys drawing, reading, fashion, and cars, and dreams of owning his own business one day, possibly launching a clothing brand.

What makes him unique is his ability to connect. “I connect with people from all walks of life,” he says, from athletes and artists to military members and college students.

That adaptability mirrors his vision for the future.

Eyes on the Horizon

Short term, Jacob’s goal is clear: Earn a starting spot on the Air Force Academy roster.

Long term, his ambition reaches beyond basketball: Become a pilot in the United States Air Force.

A year ago, he never imagined himself here. That perspective fuels the impact he hopes to make.

“I want people to see that goals are achievable.”

Final Word

Jacob’s favorite hype song, “Swing It” by vonOff1700, matches his confidence. His favorite athlete, Kyrie Irving,

reflects creativity and control. His favorite verse, Isaiah 41:10, grounds him in faith during uncertainty.

And if you had to describe Jacob Parks in one word?

Intelligent.

Intelligent in preparation, Intelligent in perspective, intelligent enough to know that the breakthrough often comes right after the doubt.

That’s Jacob’s why.