Anthony Parker

Head Coach

Some people play the game.
Others are called to change it.
My story didn’t begin under stadium lights or in front of thousands of fans. It began in Denver, Colorado where a young kid with big dreams, relentless drive, and something to prove fell in love with competition.

Basketball.
Football.
Track.

Every field, every court, every race became another opportunity for me to push myself harder than the day before.Long before the awards and recognition came, I learned a powerful lesson early in life:
Nothing is given. Everything is earned.
That mindset helped shape me into one of the top multi-sport athletes in the country. I earned honors as a Preseason Blue Chip All-American, All-State, and All-Conference athlete, and was ranked among the nation’s top collegiate cornerbacks by USA Today.
But behind every accomplishment was sacrifice.
The early mornings.
The pressure.
The setbacks.
The injuries.
The moments nobody sees.
At Weber State University, I continued chasing greatness both on the field and in the classroom. While competing in Division I football and track, I earned my degree in Business Management and Technical Sales while maintaining strong academics and earning honor roll recognition.
Those years taught me discipline.
Perseverance.
Leadership.
Resilience.
Lessons that would shape every chapter of my life moving forward.
Then came the moment every athlete dreams about.
The NFL Draft.
I was selected by legendary coach Bill Walsh to play for the iconic 5x Super Bowl San Francisco 49ers…one of the greatest organizations in sports history.
For five years, I competed at the highest level of football, surrounded by world class elite athletes, championship culture, and coaches who demanded excellence every single day.
That experience didn’t just sharpen my game.
It shaped me as a man.
But life has a way of humbling even the strongest competitors.
When injuries brought my NFL career to an end, I faced the same question many athletes struggle with:
Who are you when the game is over?
Instead of allowing adversity to define me, I attacked life the same way I attacked football…with faith, purpose, and determination.
I transitioned into corporate America, became an executive leader, earned my MBA, built businesses, wrote inspirational books, and embraced being a husband and father with the same passion I once brought to the football field.
But deep down, I knew my true purpose was bigger than business or sports.
I felt called to mentor.
To lead.
To inspire.
To pour into the next generation.
In 2016, that calling became Illinois Game Time Basketball.
What started with coaching my own children quickly grew into one of the premier basketball programs in the western Chicagoland area…built not just on talent, but on culture, accountability, development, discipline, and belief.
Because I believe basketball is bigger than basketball.
It’s about confidence.
Leadership.
Character.
Adversity.
Growth.
Purpose.
It’s about preparing young athletes for life.
Since founding Illinois Game Time, I’ve had the privilege of helping athletes compete on some of the biggest stages in youth basketball, win major championships, and earn opportunities to play at the collegiate level.
But the banners and trophies are not what matter most to me.
The real victory is watching young athletes grow into confident leaders, hardworking students, great teammates, and strong young men and women prepared for life beyond sports.
Every practice matters.
Every lesson matters.
Every conversation matters.
Because this has never been about building stars.
It’s about building people.
My journey…from Denver… to Division I athletics… to the NFL… to executive leadership boardrooms… to mentoring the next generation has taught me that purpose is bigger than any title.
And my mission remains the same:
To inspire young athletes to dream bigger, work harder, lead stronger, and never allow fear, failure, or adversity to stop them from becoming who they were created to be. Because greatness isn’t built in comfort. It’s built through fire.

Alyssa Jones

Assistant Coach

Some people coach the game.
Others inspire the people playing it.
Alyssa Jones is a rising leader within Illinois Game Time Basketball whose passion, energy, and determination continue to make a lasting impact on everyone around her.
A former member of the Illinois Game Time National Team, Alyssa understands firsthand what it means to wear the Game Time jersey with pride, discipline, and purpose. In 2024, she returned to the program as an intern coach before stepping into an assistant coaching role during the 2025 spring and summer seasons.
From the moment she walks into the gym, her energy is contagious.
Her love for the game, commitment to player development, and ability to connect with young athletes make her a powerful role model both on and off the court.
Currently a sophomore at Lake Forest College, Alyssa is pursuing a double major in Early Elementary Education and Sociology & Anthropology while also competing as a post player for the Lake Forest women’s basketball team.
But for Alyssa, education and basketball go hand in hand.
She believes both have the power to transform lives, build confidence, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom or the court.
Her long-term vision is rooted in service and impact. Alyssa plans to earn her master’s degree in Early Elementary Education and become a first or second-grade teacher driven by her belief that every child deserves someone who believes in them, pushes them, and helps them discover their potential.
That same mindset shows up in the way she coaches.
She teaches more than basketball fundamentals.
She teaches confidence.
Resilience.
Teamwork.
Leadership.
Self-belief.
Whether she’s encouraging a player during practice, mentoring from the sidelines, or helping athletes push through adversity, Alyssa leads with heart, positivity, and purpose.
Supported by her loving family and fueled by her determination to keep growing, Alyssa approaches every challenge with the mindset that hard work, consistency, and perseverance can overcome anything.
Her story is still being written, but one thing is already clear:
Alyssa Jones represents everything Illinois Game Time stands for.
Leadership.
Passion.
Growth.
Character.
Purpose.
And through her example, she continues inspiring the next generation to become stronger athletes, stronger leaders, and stronger people.

Joseph Johnson

Director of Player Development

Some leaders teach the game.
Others help shape the person behind the player.
Joseph Johnson joined Illinois Game Time Basketball as Director of Player Development during the 2021 Spring/Summer National Team season, bringing with him a powerful combination of leadership, mentorship, discipline, and life experience.
Joseph’s role within the program goes far beyond basketball.
His mission is centered around helping athletes grow mentally, emotionally, and personally while using analytics, mentorship, accountability, and encouragement to help players unlock their full potential both on and off the court.
A close friend of Coach Parker, Joseph’s relationship with the program is deeply rooted in brotherhood, shared experiences, and a lifelong passion for leadership and development.
Their journey began years ago at Weber State University, where they competed together, trained together, and built a bond through athletics, adversity, and discipline that would last a lifetime.
But Joseph’s story extends far beyond sports.
Following his athletic career, he continued pursuing education and service while building a life centered on leadership, faith, and personal growth. From 2003 to 2004, Joseph honorably served a military deployment in Iraq, demonstrating courage, sacrifice, and commitment to something greater than himself. Prior to that, he also dedicated two years serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1994 to 1996.
Those experiences helped shape the leader he is today.
Disciplined.
Resilient.
Grounded.
Purpose-driven.
Joseph brings a unique perspective to Illinois Game Time Basketball blending athletics, education, service, mentorship, and leadership into an approach that impacts athletes far beyond wins and losses.
His belief aligns directly with the mission of Illinois Game Time:
To develop not just talented athletes, but confident leaders, disciplined teammates, and strong young men and women prepared for life.
Whether he’s mentoring players individually, breaking down performance analytics, or helping athletes navigate challenges beyond basketball, Joseph leads with wisdom, consistency, and authenticity.
His impact is felt throughout the program.
Because for Joseph Johnson, player development has never been just about the game.
It’s about helping young people become the best version of themselves.