For months now we’ve heard about the top freshman in college basketball and just how great they will be at the next level when they declare for the NBA draft. While most of the freshman had a solid season, Jabari Parker’s had a bad ending with him losing to an over-matched Mercer squad in the 2nd round of the tournament.
There has been some speculation all season that Parker would consider returning to Duke for a 2nd season but it appears the disappointing result in the tournament has only amplified it. Parker has yet to let his intentions be known but according to Mitch Lawrence of the NY Daily News, some GMs are getting worried.
“That’s what’s in the air right now, Parker staying, but we haven’t heard anything official,’’ one Eastern Conference GM with an interest in Parker’s plans said on Friday.
If I had to take a guess, I would say that Parker ends up declaring for the draft when it’s all said and done. There are always some pluses to staying in school for an extra year, but I think when you’re a projected top 3 prospect you have to leave early. In most cases, he can only hurt his stock by coming back.
Best to capitalize on the situation and leave now.