Jabari Parker is Taking His Talents to the NBA

18 Apr, 2014

Jabari Parker is hoping to become Duke’s latest one-and-done star to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

The 6-foot-8 All-American forward said Thursday he’ll enter the NBA draft after being the highest-scoring freshman in Duke history. He was also the first freshman to lead the Blue Devils in scoring and rebounding, and the first freshman in three decades to be selected team MVP.

Now he has the chance to do what Kyrie Irving did in 2011: follow a one-year stay at Duke by being the first name called in the June draft.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement Thursday it was “an honor for us to have him in our program.” In an essay posted on SI.com, Parker said the NBA offers him the best chance to develop both as a player and off the court.

“I realize how much of a privilege and an honor it is to join the ranks of the NBA,” Parker wrote. “I will do everything in my power to help deliver championships to the franchise that drafts me. At the same time, I recognize the obligation to represent the league in an admirable way off the court.”

Parker played in high school at Chicago’s Simeon Career Academy and was frequently mentioned along with Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins as possible No. 1 picks before ever playing a college game.

Parker led the Atlantic Coast Conference with an average of 8.7 rebounds while his 19.1 points were second only to North Carolina State’s T.J. Warren, who entered the NBA draft last week.

“Jabari could not have been better,” Krzyzewski said. “He is the epitome of what you would want a basketball player to be – outstanding every day on the practice court and in the classroom and a very humble young man.

“He had a fantastic freshman year and is so deserving of the opportunity to play in the NBA and follow his dream.”

AP

Image Duke Photography

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