Bucks rookie forward Jabari Parker is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee. (Getty)
Jabari Parker, one of the top rookies in the NBA, is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee, the team said Tuesday evening.
The 19-year-old was injured in the 3rd quarter of Monday night’s 96-94 win over the Phoenix Suns. On a drive to the basket, his knee buckled and then he collided with the Suns’ P.J. Tucker.
Parker was carried off the court by teammates and an MRI Tuesday revealed the tear, which was initially believed to be only a sprain. A surgery date has not been determined.
Here’s what you need to know about Parker:
1. Parker Was One of The League’s Top Rookies
Parker was establishing himself as one of the top rookies in the league, helping guide the surprising Bucks to a 13-12 record.
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward was averaging 12.3 points (2nd on the team) and 5.5 rebounds (3rd) while starting every game. His 29.5 minutes per game were second on the team.
He scored a career-high 23 points against Brooklyn on Nov. 19 and he grabbed 11 rebounds in his 3rd game, a win over Philadelphia.
Parker’s play was certainly backing up his hype as many predicted Rookie of the Year honors for the former Duke star.
2. He Was a One-And-Done Player at Duke
In what seems to be the way to go for stud college basketball players, Parker went the one-and-done route at Duke. As an 18-year-old freshman, he averaged 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds over 35 games for the Blue Devils, garnering first-team All-America honors. Parker was also named the USBWA National Freshman of the Year.
Duke was shockingly knocked out of the NCAA Tournament’s second round by Mercer 78-71, which effectively ended Parker’s college career.
Parker hit 4 of 14 shots and 6 of 7 from the line to finish with 14 points and 7 rebounds in his final game with Duke.
3. Milwaukee Drafted Parker 2nd Overall
It didn’t take Parker long to hear his name called to the Barclays Center podium by new commissioner Adam Silver on draft night.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected Parker second, just after the Cleveland Cavaliers made Kentucky’s Andrew Wiggins the top overall pick. Two months later, Wiggins was on his way to Minnesota in the blockbuster trade that brought Kevin Love to Cleveland.
4. Parker Was One of The Highest-Rated High School Players
The Chicago native attended Neal F. Simeon Career Academy, where he established himself as one of the top prep players in the nation.
Parker was rated by many of the top recruiting services as the No. 1 player in Illinois and one of the best in the country. He received offers from most of the top college programs, before committing to Duke on Dec. 20, 2012.
The 2013 McDonald’s All-American started all four years at Simeon, winning the Illinois State Championship in each one. Among his other high school honors, Parker was the 2012 Gatorade National Player of the Year and the 2013 McDonald National Player of the Year.
5. He is The Son of Former NBA Player Sonny Parker
Basketball runs in the Parker family. Jabari’s father, Sonny Parker, played 6 seasons in the NBA with Golden State Warriors, averaging 9.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He scored 15.2 ppg during the 1978-79 season.
Parker was waived prior to the 1982 season and never played in the NBA again.
He was a top recruit out of Farragut in Chicago and chose to play at Texas A&M. Parker averaged 20.7 points per game as a senior and the Warriors made him the 17th overall pick in the 1976 NBA Draft.
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Jabari Parker Tears ACL: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know