In the end, the lure of perhaps being the top overall selection in the upcoming NBA draft proved too much for Jabari Parker to resist.
The 19-year-old Duke freshman and Chicago native announced on Thursday he plans to forego the last three years of his college eligibility to pursue his lifelong dream. In his one season at Duke, the son of former NBA player Sonny Parker averaged 19 points and nine rebounds in earning the Wayman Tisdale Award as the nation's top freshman player.
Jabari Parker still undecided about NBA draft
"Jabari could not have been better," Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. "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."
In joining a potential draft pool that could also include fellow freshman Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle, Joel Embiid and Aaron Gordon, Parker also becomes just the fifth Duke player in the Krzyzewski Era to leave for the pros after just one season, joining Corey Maggette, Luol Deng, Kyrie Irving and Austin Rivers.
Jabari Parker the next Carmelo Anthony?
In leading the Blue Devils to a 26-9 finish, Parker also recorded 14 double-doubles and finished with at least 20 points in 18 games.
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