Nov 24, 2013; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jabari Parker (1) defends against Vermont Catamounts forward Brian Voelkel (1) as he shoots at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jabari Parker – PF/SF – Duke. Why is he ranked so low? Let me start with the positives first. He has the most polished game at the NCAA level. He sees the floor effectively, always hits the open man cross court, and finds open spaces in the defense to attack. His hoop IQ is off-the-chart. While there have been comparisons to Carmelo Anthony, he resembles a game more similar to Paul Pierce, only taller. He doesn’t rely too much on isolation play and fits in seamlessly into Duke’s offensive system. How skilled is he? He can go full-court in transition off the dribble. He has a turn-around jumpshot, a step-back jumpshot, a pull-up jumpshot, a touch for wide-angled layups, a jump-hook, and definitive 3-point range, on both sides of the court. His skills have led me to the most hyphens I’ve ever written in one sentence. His shot chart is balanced all over the floor. All of his moves are very basic, yet he’s able to create effective spacing with 1-2 dribble moves and create high percentage shots will within his shot repertoire. As varied as his skills are, he’s shooting 55% from the field and over 46% behind the NCAA 3-point arc. He is the video that should be demonstrated to grade school kids. His offensive game is simply refined and polished. At 6’8″ with a 7′ wingspan, he’s able to get his shot when he wants, at either forward spot. Downside? His motor, strength, and positioning at the defensive end is simply lacking. It’s one thing to save fouls to stay on the floor. It’s another to almost blatantly give up on plays defensively. NCAA role players are driving by him for layups, shooting over him from the perimeter, or punishing him in the paint. He has heavy feet, which allows him to plant onto the floor for excellent pivot work offensively, but defensively, makes him laterally slow. He clearly has the hoop IQ at this end of the floor, often rotating for help on blocked shots and rebounding effectively. More focus and strength on the defensive end can at least help him become an effective post defender at the power forward spot. Otherwise, he looks like a liability defensively.