NCAA News Wire
Duke’s Parker to make draft decision Wednesday
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All posts by Alan DraperUpdated6 hours ago on April 24, 2024
Duke freshman forward Jabari Parker is expected to meet with coach Mike Krzyzewski Tuesday and announce the next day whether or not he will forgo his final three seasons of eligibility to enter the 2014 NBA Draft.
Parker is the highest-scoring freshman in Duke history. The 6-foot-8, 235-pound Chicago native averaged 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds while leading the Blue Devils to a 26-9 record, an appearance in the ACC title game and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Parker is considered a consensus top-three selection should he choose to enter the draft.
The All-American was in Oklahoma City on Monday with his parents to accept the Wayman Tisdale Award as college basketball’s top freshman.
According to The Associated Press, Parker said he will look for the place “where he can grow the most.”
“I don’t know where that is right now,” Parker said. “I’ll talk to coach about it and lay out my options, but I’m just really glad I get the best of both worlds.”
The deadline for underclassmen to announce their intentions is April 27. This year’s draft is set for June 26 in New York.
Parker said in the interview last week 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.”
