Jabari Parker picked Blue Devils even though Duke was his worst visit

http://blogs.fayobserver.com/accbasketball/December-2012/Jabari-Parker-picked-Blue-Devils-even-though-Duke-

Jabari Parker still had just about everyone guessing. Then, he pulled out that blue T-shirt with a white "D," and, finally, it became clear.

The prized prospect from Chicago's Simeon Career Academy, one of the most highly touted recruits in years, is headed to Duke to play for Mike Krzyzewski. Parker made the announcement in front of a national TV audience Thursday, in his high school gym, surely delighting Blue Devils fans.

A 6-foot-8 forward with the ability to nail jumpers from just about any spot when he's not throwing down vicious dunks, Parker can't sign his letter of intent until April 17. But he made his intentions clear with one highly anticipated oral commitment.

Michigan State, Florida, Stanford and Brigham Young also made his top five, and caps from each school lined a table next to the podium. But he said it really came down to three schools, with the Gators and Spartans right there with the Blue Devils.

Turning down the other programs, particularly Michigan State, wasn't easy, particularly after coach Tom Izzo's final pitch Wednesday. Simeon coach Robert Smith was so impressed he said, "If he was recruiting me yesterday, I would have committed."

Parker didn't. He saw a potential for controversy with him and the Spartans' Branden Dawson playing the same position. Instead, he's headed to Duke even though he said that was his "worst" on-campus visit.

"I didn't do what I wanted to do - that's be a kid," Parker said. "But I know being at college, it's all business. That's what they wanted to do, to show me. I know I didn't have a good time, but they just wanted to tell me, prepare for me and give me a little bit of a taste of how it's going to be in college."

RE: Jabari Parker picked Blue Devils even though Duke was his worst visit

Parker's mother, Lola, said she was more interested in Krzyzewski the person than the Krzyzewski the coaching icon. She mentioned his character, his discipline and his final home visit on Tuesday.

"The first time Coach K came in, he stood up and showed Jabari where his foot should be on an offensive or a defensive play," she said. "He showed Jabari where his arms should be. This guy doesn't sit down. We kind of laughed about it, and it was the same thing Tuesday. I moved my coffee table to the side to make sure he had room right there to get up."

In the end, he chose to play for Krzyzewski for at least a year before making what many believe will ultimately be a jump to the NBA.

Parker said he might play two or three seasons in college. Either way, he vowed to get a degree. He also said he didn't decide on a school until about 1 p.m. Central, and he apparently kept his parents in the dark until just before he made his announcement.

Lola said her son whispered his decision to her and her husband, Sonny, as they were walking into the gym. A few minutes later, he pulled out that Duke T-shirt, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd packing the bleachers behind the podium.

"Duke is always going to be a team in the tournament," Parker said. "You can't go wrong at the program and most importantly, the long-term investment. I feel like if I go there, I can get a good degree. I can also stay close to home where it's easily accessible to my parents, my family. It's not too far away. Coach K, that's one of the best coaches ever, and I wanted to be able to experience the things that he has next year."

RE: Jabari Parker picked Blue Devils even though Duke was his worst visit

You can't go wrong at the program and most importantly, the long-term investment. I feel like if I go there, I can get a good degree

RE: Jabari Parker picked Blue Devils even though Duke was his worst visit

Seems wise beyond his years.

RE: Jabari Parker picked Blue Devils even though Duke was his worst visit

Notice he said, Duke is a team that will always be in the tournament.

Now we know why he didn't pick UNCheat.

WRAL Sports Fan