CHICAGO (AP) — Jabari Parker of Chicago’s Simeon Career Academy is the Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Parker received the award Thursday during a surprise visit from Alonzo Mourning, a past winner.
The former Miami Heat star showed up during Spanish class as Parker was presenting a project about the festive season Carnival. There was also a formal presentation in the auditorium.
The latest phenom from the school that produced Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose, Parker averaged 20.4 points and 9.2 rebounds while leading Simeon to its third straight state championship as a junior. He plans to narrow his list to five college finalists this spring, and he isn’t ruling out staying close to home and going to Illinois.
