Parker Hoch-Wienczek, a 13-year-old from Oley, is hoping to get a glimpse of his future this week.
Hoch-Wienczek will be in Brooklyn, N.Y., from Wednesday through Friday — including attending Thursday’s NBA draft — after scoring in the top three in the nation in his age group in the Jr. NBA Skills Challenge.
The skills challenge entails dribbling, shooting, agility, footwork and passing, and the finals will be held in conjunction with the draft.
Hoch-Wienczek, who recently completed seventh grade, plays for Pro Skills Basketball Philadelphia and is excited about his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It’s insane,” he said on getting invited to the draft. “It’s a great opportunity and great experience.”
Hoch-Wienczek will compete against two others for the skills challenge championship before attending the draft at Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets.
“We’re really proud of him,” said Parker’s mother, Randilynn Hoch-Wienczek. “We knew it’d be a really tough challenge for him, but he worked so hard. We’re really excited for him to go to the skills challenge, compete and then go to the draft and kind of imagine what his life could be like in a few years.”
Parker Hoch-Wienczek’s dream is to hear his name called in the draft one day, just like his favorite player, Luka Doncic, did just a few years ago.
His predictions on who will get drafted with the top-two picks are Victor Wembanyama to the San Antonio Spurs at No. 1 and Scoot Henderson to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 2.
Hoch-Wienczek also will get a chance to meet several of the drafted players throughout the night.
This won’t be the first time Parker meets elite basketball talent.
While attending the USA Basketball Gold Camp in Nebraska, he met Donald Showalter, a coach and trainer who has worked with NBA players Jayson Tatum, Scottie Barnes and Collin Sexton.
Participating in the skills challenge excites Hoch-Wienczek as he can achieve something not too many kids could dream of.
He also is not unfamiliar with competing on the big stage.
Hoch-Wienczek traveled to London to play in a tournament for Pro Skills Basketball Philadelphia where he participated in four games and also got to sightsee around the city.
“I want to thank my coaches, my teammates, and parents for helping me throughout this journey,” he said.
Hoch-Wienczek has continued to train for the skills challenge as he hopes to return home with a trophy and a ton of cherishable memories.
