CHICAGO – 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.
One of the most highly touted recruits in years, the prized prospect from Chicago's Simeon Career Academy is headed to Duke to play for Mike Krzyzewski. Parker made the announcement Thursday in his high school gym in front of a national TV audience.
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 BYU also made his top five, and caps from each school lined a table next to the podium. But he said it came down to Duke, Florida and Michigan State.
"Duke is always going to be a team in the tournament," he 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."
Parker said he might play two or three seasons in college. Either way, he vowed to get a degree.
Parker might be the greatest prospect to come out of Simeon, and that's saying something considering Derrick Rose played there. All he did was go on to become NBA MVP with the hometown Bulls. Parker received the Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year award after leading Simeon to its third straight state championship while averaging 19.5 points and 8.9 rebounds as a junior.
His father, Sonny, played six seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
No. 1 Duke 76, Elon 54 in Durham, N.C. – Mason Plumlee had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the Blue Devils (11-0) beat the Phoenix (6-5) for their 100th straight nonconference win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
No. 2 Michigan 93, East- ern Michigan 54 in Ann Arbor, Mich. – Tim Hardaway Jr. had 17 points and a career-high seven assists to help the Wolverines (12-0) rout the Eagles (6-4).
Women
No. 9 Maryland 69, Dela- ware 53 in Newark, Del. – Tianna Hawkins had 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Maryland hounded All-American Elena Delle Donne (19 points on 7-of-23 shooting) in her return from Lyme disease as the Terrapins (8-2) beat the Blue Hens (5-3).
Cal State Northridge 77, No. 12 UCLA 72 in Los Angeles – Ashlee Guay scored a career-high 28 points as the Matadors (6-4) upset the Bruins (7-2).
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