Northview grad Parker Swartz switches commitment to Ohio Dominican

Northview’s Parker Swartz plays in the Ring of Fire All-Star Game in June 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Parker Swartz spent the month of July in limbo.

The 6-foot-7 forward, who recently graduated from Northview High School, had committed to play basketball at Malone University, a Division II program in Canton, Ohio. But when Malone coach Casey Kaufman left for a new job at Ohio Dominican University on July 6, Swartz wasn’t sure what that meant for his future.

“The reason I committed to Malone was because of the coaching staff,” Swartz said. “I loved how they treated me and how they do things. When I found out they were moving to Ohio Dominican, one of the first things that popped in my head is if I should go with them.”

He will be joining Kaufman and assistant coach Colton Everett. Swartz said he will be transferring to Ohio Dominican, a Division II school Columbus, Ohio.

“When (Kaufman) heard of me wanting to transfer, he thought ‘yeah, we can make this happen.’ Then I went on a visit to Ohio Domnican and I liked it,” Swartz said. “It was sweet. It is way nicer (than Malone). The dorms are nicer, the campus is nicer and Columbus is a nice city.”  

Three other Malone commits also transferred to Ohio Dominican to follow Kaufman, who was the head coach of Malone for eight years.