Julius Randle vs. Jabari Parker: NBA Draft Prospect Match Up
By Mike Garcia
Size
Feb 22, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Julius Randle (30) shoots the ball over LSU Tigers forward Johnny O
Both Julius Randle and Jabari Parker seem very similar in size. Randle is listed at 1″ taller, while Parker has a 1″ longer wingspan. Much has been said of Randle’s wingspan, saying he won’t be an effective NBA player because 6’11” is considered too short. Yet, Jabari Parker has a 7′ wingspan and gets a pass. The biggest tell is really in standing reach. Julius Randle has a standing reach of 8’9.5″, while Jabari Parker has a standing reach of 8’8″. Randle has an equivalent reach of both power forwards and wing players; exactly the same as Jon Leuer, Jared Sullinger, Cody Zeller, Troy Murphy, Carmelo Anthony, and Andre Iguodala. Jabari Parker has an equivalent reach to Gerald Green, Shawne Williams, Tyreke Evans, and Duke teammate Rodney Hood, who has a wingspan of just 6’8″.
Feb 22, 2014; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) pulls down a rebound against Syracuse Orange center Baye-Moussa Keita (12) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
What does this mean? While Randle has the standing reach on the lower end of power forward prospects, it didn’t stop guys from Cody Zeller getting drafted in the lottery, or Troy Murphy averaging double-doubles earilier in his career. Jabari Parker, however, has a reach that is equal to small forwards and shooting guards, which may give him trouble against opposition with tremendous standing reaches at power forward. Great standing reach for a power forward starts at 9′, but then again, we are just talking about 1-1/2″ of standing reach. Some may consider this negligible. Others may think this is the difference between getting a rebound and giving up a rebound, winning or losing a 50/50 ball, or getting a shot blocked versus scoring over a defender.