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Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 2 senior, committed to Duke during a press conference at his school on Thursday. Parker, a 6-foot-8 forward from Simeon Career Academy, chose the Blue Devils over BYU, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford. Hats representing all five schools were situated on a table in the Simeon gym, which was filled with teammates, students and the media ESPN.com

Draft, Jabari Parker 

The NBA celebrities spoke to the players and coaches at length in a panel-style discussion in the rectory before they took the floor, with Noah and Gibson squared off as honorary coaches for the first game. Bulls star Derrick Rose made an appearance, as did Simeon High’s highly touted player Jabari Parker. The event got heavy media coverage from Chicago TV affiliates, newspapers and Web sites, part of the plan to spread the impact beyond one afternoon in one gym. “These cats comin’ down tells these brothers, ‘We care about you. We love you,’ ” Pfleger said. “You see the reaction. People are so thrilled, so excited. This isn’t happening at the United Center. This is happening on 79th St. That’s the key.” NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Jabari Parker 

Basketball always ranked as the backup plan for Jabari Parker. Education and his faith came first. They still do. "Basketball is going to end," Parker said. Strange talk from a kid who turned 17 in March and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated last week, labeled as the best high school player since LeBron James, who took his game straight from the Ohio prep courts to NBA stardom in 2003. ESPN.com

Draft, Jabari Parker 

"I look at it like they have as much skill as me," Parker said. "I'm a person with low self-esteem. I don't think I deserve some of the things I've received. That helps me strive for more, to be hungry and humble and keep on working." ESPN.com

Draft, Jabari Parker 

"I want to be just like Michael Jordan," Parker said. "Chicago greats get noticed around the city. People have a lot of respect for them. I look up to those guys a lot. I want to be part of that family." ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Draft, Michael Jordan, Jabari Parker 

Jabari Parker, a junior at Simeon High School in Chicago, was announced as the 2011 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. “It means a lot to get this award,” Parker said. “I’m honored and grateful for the selection. It shows that at an early age I had a good summer. I’m thankful all of the hard work paid off.” Parker helped lead the USA to a perfect 5-0 record and the gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Starting in all five games for the USA during the June 21-25 tournament in Cancun, Mexico, Parker averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 21.4 minutes per game, while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point. RealGM

Jabari Parker