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Duke’s Parker undecided on next season
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Duke freshman sensation Jabari Parker is still trying to decide whether to stay in college or declare himself eligible for the NBA Draft this year.
The 6-foot-8 Parker, projected as a top-three pick if he decides to come out, said Friday that he will consult with Duke coach Mike Kryzyzewski next week to discuss his options. He has determined that he will not go on a Mormon mission.
“It’s a very tough decision, especially potentially leaving behind my coach and the program that really helped me out this year, so I really have to keep them in consideration in this whole process,” Parker said Friday on ESPNLA 710.
The deadline for underclassmen to announce their intentions is April 27. This year’s NBA draft is set for June 26 in New York.
Parker said in the interview that he does not see staying in college for another season as a gamble.
“I think there’s no risk,” Parker said. “I think the community at Duke has really done a good job of taking care of my safety and they make sure that everything is done by the playbook.
“My parents, they come from different backgrounds. They don’t even value money. My situation isn’t the best, but they’re not complaining and I’ve been going on this long, so why can’t I wait another year? That’s the mindset in my head that keeps me moving.”
Parker finished an All-American season averaging 19.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He was named the country’s top freshman and finished second to Creighton senior Doug McDermott for the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy as the nation’s outstanding player.
