DES MOINES, IOWA -- Drake sophomore guard Josh Parker (Harvey, Ill.) has been named to the five-member Missouri Valley Conference Most Improved Team as voted on by the league's sportswriters..

Parker increased his scoring average to 11.0 points as a key sixth-man compared to his 2.1 scoring average in 2007-08.

He ranks fifth in the MVC in three-point field goal percentage at .429. He had a career-high 25 points against Northern Iowa Jan. 17. He has scored in double figures in 17 games this season, including 22 against Lincoln (Mo.), after accomplishing the feat only once last season.
   
Parker came off the bench to score 19 points against Austin Peay, drilling five three-point baskets.

He had 19 points, including four three-point baskets, in the Bulldogs' MVC regular season finale at Bradley Saturday.
   
Parker start in nine games this season, making his first collegiate start at Missouri State Jan. 21 where he collected nine points and three steals. He tallied 15 at Wichita State, equaling his combined scoring output of the three previous games.
   
Parker was named the MVP of the Iowa Realty Invitational after averaging 15.0 points in the two games, while shooting  68.7 percent from the floor (11-16), including 66.7 percent (6-9) from three-point range. He came off the bench to score a game-high 18 points in Drake's opening round 59-57 victory against Texas-Pan American and added 12 points in a 89-46 romp past North Carolina Central.