Green Bay Phoenix

Midweek Stock Report: Bucks' Parker primed for start of season

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:07 p.m. ET

Dave Heller

Every Wednesday, FOX Sports Wisconsin takes a look at which athletes' stock is trending up and whose is trending down.

In other words, who is making a meteoric rise, and who is quickly plummeting.

With that in mind, let's "take stock" of the current sports scene in Wisconsin, shall we?

Jabari Parker, Bucks forward

In two preseason games last week, Parker had 21 points and 18 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. Someone is ready for the regular season to begin.

Tony Snell, Bucks guard

With Khris Middleton out for most if not all of the season, the question was how would Milwaukee fill his role? The Bucks might have found the answer this week in trading for Snell, who never got much of a chance in Chicago. The No. 20 pick in the 2013 draft averaged 18.5 minutes per game with the Bulls and just 5.3 points per game. But he did make 35.1 percent of his 3-pointers, is an asset on the free-throw line (81.4 percent in his career, including 90.9 percent last season, and 82.1 percent in his three years at New Mexico) and is reportedly a good defender. The 6-foot-7 Snell is getting over an ankle injury, so his indoctrination into the Bucks might be slow to start, but the opportunity is there.

Jack Cichy, Badgers linebacker

The former walk-on continues to have an impressive season. Cichy was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week despite Wisconsin losing to Ohio State, thanks to recording 15 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss against the Buckeyes.

Ty Montgomery, Packers wide receiver

Last year's third-round pick had the game of his life this past Sunday against Dallas, catching 10 passes -- on a team-high 12 targets- for 98 yards and also getting three carries. With Eddie Lacy sidelined, newcomer Knile Davis likely not ready for a big role yet and receiver Davante Adams banged up, Montgomery could play a big role for Green Bay in Thursday's game against Chicago and perhaps for weeks to come.

Nigel Hayes, Badgers forward

Last weekend, Hayes carted around a sign near the College Gameday set in Madison which read "Broke College Athlete Anything Helps" -- and it of course got a lot of coverage. Kudos for Hayes to use his notoriety to speak out on issues (ditto for his teammate Bronson Koenig). While some, including yours truly, believe he might not be the perfect spokesman due to his burgeoning pro career, there's no doubt that being one of the top players in the country in a big-time college basketball program gives Hayes a bigger platform than others. Hayes is putting himself out there where others will not agree with him, including current players (such as Marquette's Duane Wilson, who tweeted about it here, here and here). It is easy to be popular and say all the right things. It's tougher to take a stand, and sometimes be out on an island.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers quarterback

The bloom is off the rose.

Thon Maker, Bucks forward

Being a rookie can be a tough transition. Maker played in 28 minutes combined in two games last week, scoring just four points (all in one game) with a +/- of minus-23. The good news is these stats don't count.

Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players from the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns