Parker Applegate

Parker Applegate: Growth, Grit, and God’s Plan

For Parker Applegate, basketball is more than a game—it’s a testament to the discipline, resilience, and values that have shaped him both on and off the court. As a sophomore forward at Union University, Applegate has grown into a key contributor for the Bulldogs, but his journey to this point has been anything but conventional. From his multi-sport upbringing to his evolving leadership role, his story is one of dedication, family support, and unwavering faith.

Applegate’s athletic journey began with a love for both baseball and basketball. “I probably got into basketball when I was about six years old,” he recalls. He started in a local development league called First Shot, but for years, baseball shared his focus. It wasn’t until he was 17 that he fully committed to basketball, limiting his competitive AAU experience to just two full seasons.

Despite the late specialization, his natural ability and hard work stood out. His height and skill set made basketball the better long-term option, and when Union University offered him a spot in October of 2022, he felt that the Lord was leading him here. “Coach Niven sent me probably eight letters throughout the recruiting process. He’d come to my games and say great things about me, and that meant a lot.” The close-knit campus and the opportunity to have his own dorm room were added bonuses.

Behind every big moment in Applegate’s basketball career has been his family. Their unwavering support has played a huge role in his development. “Even in travel ball, my family was always there. We got really close through that time together, and this year they came to even more of my games than last year. My dad always says his favorite thing to do is watch me play.”

His connection to family extends to his cousin Judson, who was a freshman on the team this year, “Playing with Judson was really fun because we always played together growing up. Every summer, we get together to play one-on-one, and seeing our families support us at the college level has been really special.”

Arriving at Union, Applegate initially focused on playing his role—defense and rebounding. “We had a lot of good offensive options, so as a freshman, I was just trying to come in and contribute.” But after a summer of refining his post moves and expanding his shooting range, he entered his sophomore year with an increased role. “Coach Niven told me they’d be relying on me more, so I worked all summer on post moves and shooting threes. Coach Trae helped me a lot with shooting on the move, crackbacks, and drifts.”

One of the biggest transformations came in his mentality. “Last year, when they’d call my name in the post, I’d get nervous. I wasn’t getting many touches, so I’d overthink it. This year, I know I have to score for my teammates, and I’ve gained confidence from playing nearly 30 minutes a game as a freshman.”

Understanding the mental aspect of the sport has been just as important. “Basketball is a mental game for sure. If I’m not making shots, I try to find other ways to contribute—crashing the boards, getting put-backs. I remember a game against CBU where I was 1-for-8, but I told myself to focus on rebounds and easy put-back buckets. Another time, I was 1-for-5 in the first half, and I just reset mentally, told myself it was a new game, and finished strong.”

Faith is the foundation of Applegate’s life and athletic career. “We have team time every other week, and going to a new school, I’ll have to be intentional about keeping that up. Coach Handy shared his testimony with us, which was really inspirational, and it stuck with me. Basketball is more than just a game—it’s a platform to grow in faith and character.”

His faith played a key role in his decision to enter the transfer portal. “I prayed about it a lot and felt peace about exploring other opportunities. It’s been neat to see how God works—three out of the five schools I had on a list I decided to make actually reached out to me.”

For Applegate, finding a program that fits his style and values is the next step. “I want to go somewhere where I can fit into their system. If a coach wants to transition me into a perimeter player, I’ll put in the work. I also want to be part of a winning culture and build strong relationships with my teammates and coaches.”

While Applegate's plan is to pursue a professional career, he has also considered other career paths for when the ball stops bouncing. Inspired by his father’s 19-year career in law enforcement, he has thought about becoming a police officer. “I’ve thought about coaching, but working your way up in that profession is tough. Law enforcement is something I’m leaning toward, but I’m keeping my options open.”

Outside of basketball, he enjoys fishing, hiking, hunting, and playing pickleball. He also works for a moving company during the summers. His favorite vacation spot? The beach.

Ask Applegate what he wants to be remembered for, and his answer is simple: leadership. “I want to be known as a good leader. I was voted team captain this year, and there were moments where I felt like a bad leader, but I had to push through and still try my best. I’ve never been super vocal, but I’ve learned that stepping outside your comfort zone is necessary to lead.”

His uncle, who is also Judson’s father, has been a major influence in his growth. “He’s been harder on me than anyone, but always to make me better. Growing up, he constantly reminded me of what it takes to play at the next level, and that’s helped me get here today. My dad, my parents—they’ve all been so involved, and I’m so grateful for them.”

For Parker Applegate, basketball is just one chapter in a much larger story. Whether it’s on the court, in his faith, or in his future career, he is determined to leave a legacy built on hard work, leadership, and integrity. And wherever his journey takes him next, he’s ready to embrace the challenge.