What do you tell Jabari Parker if your coach Mike Kryzewski? If the freshman returns for his sophomore year, you know next year's title is as much of a lock as it can be in college basketball. (Duke's 2014 recruiting class includes the number one and number four ranked prospects, according to ESPN's top 100.)
Parker will meet with Coach K next week to discuss a future many thought was decided before he played a single game for the Blue Devils.
"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.
I can't say exactly what college coaches tell potential number one picks, but I have to assume its slants more towards leaving than staying. As something of a catch-22, most NCAA basketball coaches want to gain a reputation for sending players to the NBA as early as possible. It's a great statistic to show incoming recruits. At the same time, encouraging players to leave hinders programs from developing a championship-quality roster.
Parker believes "there's no risk" in staying, and he's probably right. Still, of the three guys fighting for the top pick -- him, Andrew Wiggins, and Joel Embiid -- Parker's game most readily translates to the more open lanes and easier offense found in the NBA. He has the best one-on-one game of the three; his problem is a sometimes inconsistent jump shot and difficulty finishing after he beats his man and confronts the help defense. The latter issue should resolve itself at the next level.
Parker also mentioned being content, for the moment, with his financial situation.
"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."
