UCLA center Tony Parker could see minutes at power forward

UCLA center Tony Parker backs down Long Beach State's Eric McKnight (12) during the Bruins' 77-63 win on Nov. 23, 2014. (Stephen Carr/Staff)

UCLA center Tony Parker backs down Long Beach State’s Eric McKnight (12) during the Bruins’ 77-63 win on Nov. 23, 2014. (Stephen Carr/Staff)

In his final season at UCLA, Tony Parker could be playing a new role.

Through 104 games — including 42 starts — the 6-foot-9 big man has primarily served as a true center, a rarity as stretch forwards continue to proliferate in basketball. As a senior in 2015-16, he could be playing stretches as a power forward.

“Probably so,” Parker said. “It’s one thing coach (Steve) Alford wants me to do, so I’ll do it.”

Moving the Atlanta-area native to the four would allow the Bruins to give more minutes to soon-to-be sophomore Thomas Welsh, a promising 7-footer who recently received an invite to the USA Basketball U19 training camp. The two have almost never played together in games: Parker was on the floor in 63 percent of UCLA’s lineups through the last five games of the season, according to kenpom.com.

Parker averaged 11.5 points and 6.7 rebounds as a junior, recording seven double-doubles and dropping his fouls to 5.6 per 40 minutes — down from 6.8 in 2013-14, and 10.4 in 2012-13. Asked what his focus will be this offseason, he said he wants to improve his game facing the basket.

“Those double teams down the stretch of the season, I saw a lot of tough doubles,” Parker said. “Facing the basket more, practicing how to pass out of doubles, different reads. People double me in different ways. That’s one of the biggest things.”