Front office officials from several team's set to be in this year's NBA lottery are growing concerned Duke freshman star Jabari Parker may opt to return to school for his sophomore season.
Projected by many to be the top overall selection in this year's draft, the New York Daily News reports Parker remains disenchanted with how his freshman season ended and thus might be leaning toward a Duke return.
Jabari Parker wighing NBA options
The Blue Devils were ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by underdog Mercer with Parker finishing with just 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting. Parker is also rumored to be excited about the chance to play with Chicago pal and top 2014 Duke recruit Jahlil Okafor next season.
"That's what's in the air right now, Parker staying, but we haven't heard anything official,'' one Eastern Conference GM told The News. "He plays like he's 23, not 18,'' said the GM. "He can post and score inside, he has great hands and rebounds. He's just not a big-time athlete. But he's got 'top pick' written all over him.''
Overall, Parker is among a potentially star-studded draft class that could include fellow freshmen Andrew Wiggins, Joel Embiid, Julius Randle and Aaron Gordon.
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