Feb 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) drives to the basket around Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Chris Bolden (11) in the first half at Hank McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Jabari Parker
Forward, Duke
19 years old, Freshman
6’8″, 240 lbs.
2013-14 Stats: 30.7 MPG, 19.1 PPG (47.2% FG, 74.8% FT, 35.8% 3FG), 8.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 2.3 TOPG
Measurements: Did not attend the 2014 NBA Draft Combine
Cumulative Ranking: 3rd | Bryant’s Ranking: 3rd | Scott’s Ranking: 2nd
Mar 16, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) moves the ball up the court against Virginia Cavaliers forward Akil Mitchell (25) in the championship game of the ACC college basketball tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jabari Parker: THE BREAKDOWN
Scott: Offensively, Jabari Parker can hold his own in the NBA today, and it’s easy to see why he’s compared to Carmelo Anthony. He has a great blend of power and finesse around the basket, and his outside stroke is clean and consistent. I have little doubt that he can come in next season and average 17 points for one of these lottery teams. As an added bonus, he shows great ability on the boards, which is even more valuable when you line him up at small forward.
Bryant: While Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid and maybe even Dante Exum are a tad more “exciting” because of their full long term potential, Parker is certainly more NBA ready then anyone likely to go in the top 10. He’s a smart offensive player and, like you said, he’ll produce immediately. He can play both forward spots as needed. The biggest concern with Parker is, of course, defense; he never showed the same intensity or court awareness on defense that he did on offense, and this is why he’s a serious notch below Andrew Wiggins for me.
Scott: His defense is also what keeps him from the top spot on my board. It’s just the general disinterest in competing on that end that scares me. That said, I don’t think he’s a lost cause. He still managed to average a block and a steal — perhaps insignificant, but at least shows some tools are there. In the right scheme, I think you can mask his deficiencies until he gets better or finds the motivation.
Bryant: Yeah, it will all come down to the coaching staff to draw out his top potential defensively. He’s got the size and the wingspan to be a fine forward defender, and given his excellent post game and range, he can play both forward spots as needed. He’s more versatile and NBA ready than just about anyone in the class. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes No. 1 to Cleveland now given the Cavaliers are in full “must win now” mode, but if not he seems destined to go No. 2 to Milwaukee. In a crazy world where he ended up with Sacramento, it would have been interesting to see how the Kings fit him in alongside Cousins and Rudy Gay, but the basketball Gods aren’t that fun, apparently.
A Royal Pain – Sacramento Kings Cumulative Big Board
15. Nik Stauskas – Shooting Guard, Michigan
14. Jusuf Nurkic – Center, Bosnia
13. Adreian Payne – Power Forward, Michigan State
12. Gary Harris – Guard, Michigan State
11. Doug McDermott – Forward, Creighton
10. Dario Saric – Forward, Croatia
9. James Young – Guard/Forward, Kentucky
8. Noah Vonleh – Power Forward, Indiana
7. Marcus Smart – Point Guard, Oklahoma State
6. Aaron Gordon – Power Forward, Arizona
5. Julius Randle – Power Forward, Kentucky
4. Dante Exum – Point Guard, Australia