The Jabari Parker watch is on, and has been for a while. The question now is how long the nation’s top-rated basketball recruit might wait before choosing where he will play (likely for only one season) in college.
Parker, a 6-foot-8 small forward who plays at the Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, is considering North Carolina, Duke and eight other schools, according to a list of “finalists” he made public last month through his Twitter account. And it sounds as though Parker might deliberate for a while before making a decision.
Parker’s father, Sonny Parker, told ESPNChicago.com that Parker and the family “aren’t in a hurry” about reaching a college decision. ESPNChicago.com published the story on Thursday.
“He can pretty much go anywhere he wants to go and can take his time,” Sonny Parker told the website. “We're in a good position to take his time and get it right the first time. We'd like to get it over with, but there's no rush. Like I told him, if you aren't ready, do it in the spring. If they want you bad enough, they'll wait. He's the No. 1 player.”
ESPNChicago.com also reported that Parker has been wearing a protective boot after discovering a fracture in his right foot. Parker did not have to undergo surgery.
College basketball’s early signing period commences on Nov. 14 and runs through Nov. 21. The spring signing period begins on April 17, 2013 and runs through May 15. If Parker doesn’t decide in November, it’s likely to be a long, tense wait until the spring for the coaches recruiting him.
Parker’s father told ESPNChicago.com that he anticipates that Parker will cut his list of finalists before making any college visits. And so the watch continues …
