Sonny Parker Youth Foundation

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PARKER AIMING FOR #1

By Spencer Pulliam - NY2LASports.com & PhenomNationHoops.com - June 30, 2009

Jabari Parker is a young man on a mission. No, he's not trying to catch the eye of recruiting analysts, he is simply trying to improve his game and maximize on his potential. However, in the process, the 6-foot-5 forward has managed to impress members of the media enough to elevate his status in the class of 2013 to an outrageous level. Before even beginning his freshman year of high school at Simeon, the same school that produced Jabari's friend and mentor Derrick Rose, the Chicago-native already has an offer from in-state power and Big Ten member Illinois.

And with such a high profile reputation, it would be easy to assume that Parker is a tad bit arrogant about his talents. The ironic fact is, that couldn't be further from the truth. The son of former NBA forward Sonny Parker, the younger Parker learned at an early age that basketball can be a cruel game and taken out of a person's life at any time. "I'm using [basketball], it isn't using me" commented the touted freshman to be just weeks ago at the NY2LA Sports Generation Next All-Star Camp.

Certainly an understatement. After an MVP performance in Milwaukee at the NY2LA Sports event, Parker hopped a plane to Charlottesville, Virginia where he was the only member from the class of 2013 to be invited to the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp. Joined by some of the top young names in the game from Michael Gilchrist to Brandon Knight and beyond, it is clear the time is only a few short years away before Jabari Parker becomes a household name. Number one in the nation? Maybe so, but Parker realizes that his development is a marathon not a sprint, and he is working to ensure that his name will still be in the running four years from now. Stay tuned for more from NY2LASPORTS.COM!

Note: Spencer Pulliam is a middle school editor for PhenomNationHoops.com and a National middle school Consultant for NY2LASports.com

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