Jabari Parker opens up: “People say I’m a tragic story – what’s tragic about me?”

By Alex Molina / info@eurohoops.net

Former No. 2 NBA Draft pick Jabari Parker is playing his second season in European basketball with Barcelona.

He has become one of Barça’s most important players, and after scoring a European career-high 34 points against MoraBanc Andorra, the American forward opened up in an interview with Barça One.

Injuries marked Parker’s NBA career, leading many to doubt him, especially considering the high expectations he carried as a No. 2 draft pick and standout college player.

“People say I’m a tragic story. What’s tragic about me? I made millions of dollars, I fed my family, I brought my family out of the ghetto. Those same people who probably wrote those stories haven’t even achieved 1% of what I’ve done,” Jabari Parker said.

Despite everything, he feels fulfilled.

“The most important thing for me is being in the moment. My success is that I get up and I can be with my loved ones, that I can talk to my friends and share this space. That’s all that matters to me. Everything else—money and the places I’ve been—I haven’t even given any importance to my draft position. I’ve fulfilled my dream; that’s all that matters to me. Of course, it would have been nice to be one of the best players in the NBA, but for me, playing here is the same. My life here is wonderful, and that’s why I keep my feet on the ground—nothing is guaranteed. I could have quit basketball at 14, and now, at 30, I’m still playing the sport I love, competing in the EuroLeague, in a spectacular city and club.”

As Jabari himself says, simply continuing to play is an achievement in itself.

“I like to remind myself—I’m not even supposed to be playing anymore. How many people are playing at a high level after what I’ve been through? I’ve torn my ACL twice, with two meniscus repairs. I shouldn’t even be walking normally, but I’m playing at a high level.”

He also reflected on his arrival at the Blaugrana club after a 14-hour flight and just one training session before signing.

“I was at a point where I was accepting that I wouldn’t play for any team. I wasn’t answering my agent’s calls, and he came to see me at the training ground and said, ‘I’ve known you since you were little, and you need to keep playing.’ Then my agent called me about Europe and asked if I could be in Barcelona the next day.”

This entire journey has made Barça a club that will always have a special place in his heart.

“I’ve never kept trophies at home, but the only shirt I’ll always keep at home is the Barça shirt,” Jabari Parker concluded.

Photo: FC Barcelona