Hoop Dreams

The new "ugly" Chandler Parsons gives the Rockets passion, purpose: Playing for more than basketball

A less hairy Chandler Parsons is turning out to be very good for the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are 3-0 since Parsons shaved his head, including Saturday night's 107-98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

While the fourth quarter scoring of James Harden (11 points in the final stanza) and Jeremy Lin (all 10 of his points in the fourth, including two critical threes) received much of the attention, Parsons had his own big Saturday night moments. His drive, miss and put back of his own miss kick started the team in the fourth and he finished with 19 points and seven rebounds.

It turns out playing — or at least shaving — for a cause is its own reward.

As most NBA fans know by now, Parsons shaved his impressive locks to show solidarity with a 10-year-old boy who's receiving treatment at Texas Children's Hospital for terminal stage four neuroblastoma, a malignant tumor that grows from nerve tissue. Parsons met Patrick Hobbs-DeClaire more than a year ago while the boy was undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy. The child's father, Christopher DeClaire, contacted Rockets CEO Tad Brown recently to ask for a morale boost for his son.

So it's no more Beverly Hills 90201 meets Jersey Shore sculpted hair for pretty boy Parsons, the 25-year-old small forward whose name itself nods to passe sitcoms and modern furniture.

The 6-foot, 9-inch hottie plus his perfect hair and abs have expanded his calling into modeling, recently appearing in a Buffalo David Bitton's ad campaign that targets fitness-minded dudes who love when buxom gals in swimsuits sit on their laps . . . and stuff.

Parsons shaved off his do down to the stubble, a cut that gives him an uncanny resemblance to Grey's Anatomy hunk Jesse Williams, aka Dr. Jackson Avery. But the new haircut has little to do with fashion, style or vanity.

"The kid is so strong and so brave," Parsons said. "Here I am going to see a podiatrist for an ingrown toenail and this kid is battling for his life. How he handles it is incredible. To go through what he's going through and to be so positive, it's an inspiration."

"To go through what he's going through and to be so positive, it's an inspiration."

Patrick Hobbs-DeClaire's baldness is a side effect from a bone marrow transplant procedure a month ago, the latest attempt at eradicating his disease.

In a recent Tumblr entry on the website Prayers for Patrick, Patrick Hobbs-DeClaire is shown with Parsons spending time together before the haircut. A photo is accompanied by a message that reads, "Thank you for visiting me Chandler you are my hero!"

Parsons didn't tell his little friend of his plans. Parsons did, however, tell the boy's parents to watch for him on the court during the nationally-televised Christmas night game against San Antonio in which Parsons debuted his new haircut. He shaved it last Monday night after a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Other players who have spent time with the Hobbs-DeClaire include Lin, Harden and Dwight Howard.

Check out the Instagram photo below for another look at Parsons' new look:

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Fore Good

Golf-loving Texas students now eligible for $125,000 caddie scholarships

Photo by Golf San Antonio/Facebook

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The Western Golf Association is expanding its youth caddie program in Texas, which makes alumni eligible for the Evans Scholarship of $125,000, a potentially life-changing bequest for students in an era of rising tuition costs.

“For years, Texas has been an area of focus for us to develop youth caddie programs, and we are now seeing real momentum at clubs throughout the state,” said Mike Costello, a WGA director and Evans Scholar alum. “With strong backing from club leaders and partners like First Tee, we are creating meaningful opportunities for young people to work hard, grow in confidence, and see all the benefits of caddying.”

Powered by the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF), the scholarship provides up to $125,000 over four years, which can be used for tuition and housing. It was started by Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930, graduating over 12,000 students since then. The scholarship is open to anyone enrolled at a qualified youth caddie program who has served for two years and at least 50 rounds of golf while also managing a 3.0 GPA.

The organization touts a number of benefits for students who learn to caddie, including gaining work experience and developing lifelong skills, such as networking and communication. Country club staff provide both online and hands-on training, with additional support from club members, staff, and management.

Texas now has some of the fastest growing caddie programs in America. Ten youths are currently participating at BraeBurn Country Club in Houston, with more at Pine Forest Country Club and Lakeside Country Club. BraeBurn club member Art Ensley, a WGA director and Evans Scholar alum, says the program was an incredible opportunity for him.

“For me, the Evans Scholarship was life-changing, and helping grow youth caddie programs is an opportunity to give back,” Ensley said. “We want these young people to have the same kind of opportunity to learn, work, and build toward something bigger. It has also been rewarding to see our members, staff, and club leadership step up to support the program and help these students succeed.”

The Evans Scholarship program has also been growing in other Texas cities. The Austin Golf Club and Luling Sport have both been expanding their youth caddie programs. In Dallas-Fort Worth, the Colonial Country Club is in its second season with the program. In 2024, Ashley Garcia from Dallas became the first Texan in 50 years to win an Evans Scholarship.

The WGA will host three Evans Scholar alumni golf events this fall in Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth this year to fundraise for the scholarship's continued work. More information on those events as well as scholarship applications can be found at WGAESF.org.

education golf western golf association