The year in which Milwaukee Bucks Draft Giannis Antetokounmpo, they went 15-67 and received the second pick in the NBA Draft lottery. After Andrew Wiggins was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee had to make a arduous decision. The next two top players by consensus were Joel Embiid and Jabari Parker. Of course, the Bucks chose Parker.
While last season was frustrating for many reasons, the idea that Parker and Giannis would be able to grow and grow together gave Bucks fans a lot of hope. Within a year or two, the duo would be one of the best in the NBA.
Milwaukee started the season with Parker and Giannis in the starting lineup. Even though they were teenage and had to improve their games, they were invigorating to watch. That is, until tragedy struck.
Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker has struggled with injuries
Parker started his rookie season well, averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 25 games. But then he tore his ACL and was sidelined for the entire season.
A terrible, terrible loss for the teenage Bucks, but one they will surely be able to bounce back from once Parker returns. The following season, he played in 76 games, averaging 14.1 points and 5.2 rebounds, and his teenage career seemed to be back on track.
This was especially perceptible in the 2016/17 season, when he averaged 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. It looked like Parker was finally establishing himself as one of the NBA’s best teenage players.
But then disaster struck again. He tore his ACL again and missed the rest of the season. From then on, he was never the same player again.
Parker left Milwaukee after another miniature season in 2017-18 and bounced around the NBA for several seasons, playing for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics. However, wherever he went, injuries and questions about his readiness to play defense followed him.
Former Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker played overseas last season
Parker last played in the NBA for the Celtics in the 2021-22 season. This year he played in only 12 games, in which he averaged 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds.
Last offseason, it was initially reported that Parker had joined Milwaukee for the Summer League. However, he had to withdraw due to an undisclosed family matter.
Unable to make the NBA roster last year, Parker played for FC Barcelona, of Spain’s ACB and Euro League. Each league had a 33-game season, and Parker played all 66 games. He averaged 10.9 and 3.5 points, shooting 38.7% from three.
After his team’s final match, Parker was asked about finishing his first season in Europe, but the striker was too emotional to answer:
Jabari Parker gets emotional when asked about his first year abroad 💔
(By @JijantesFC)pic.twitter.com/iwCOCH7Nz3
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 3, 2024
The film generated a lot of sympathy for Parker, who went down in history as one of the “what ifs” of his generation. What if he hadn’t been hurt the first time? What if he hadn’t been injured a second time?
Let’s hope he continues to have a long career playing basketball (he’s only 28 years senior).
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