Smush Parker's stats

Guard, #1

• Born June 1, 1981
• Attended Fordham
• Coached by Phil Jackson

After short stints with Cleveland, Detroit and Phoenix, the Lakers signed William "Smush" Parker for the 2005-06 season. He was the only Laker that season to start all 82 games. He averaged 11.5 points and 3.7 assists per game and finished ninth in the NBA in steals with 140. During the 2006-07 season, he started 80 of 82 games and averaged 11.1 points and 2.8 assists. He was signed by the Miami Heat as a free agent in 2007.

The Heat put Parker on the inactive list for about a month in 2007 after a parking lot attendant accused him of twisting her arm over a $12 fee. In 2009, he signed with the Chinese Basketball Assn. and was considered one of the more well-known foreign players because he played alongside Kobe Bryant with the Lakers.

The nickname comes from his mother, who started calling him "Smush" when he was a baby. He has said he considers "Smush" his given name.