Jabari Parker clarifies viral wine video

Jabari Parker was once considered a future NBA superstar. The second pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, hopes and expectations were high after Parker's lone season at Duke. However, things did not go the way he or anyone hoped, as injuries limited his potential and ultimately forced him to leave the NBA.

More than a year after being released by the Boston Celtics and playing his final NBA game, Parker signed with FC Barcelona, ​​seemingly in a last-ditch effort to stay in basketball. Not only did Parker stay in basketball, but he shined in his first season with Barcelona this year, averaging 10.6 points and 4.2 rebounds as a valuable rotation player for Barca. When asked about his experience in his first year abroad after the team's season-ending loss, Parker broke down in tears.

Some speculated that Parker was disappointed in himself or sad about no longer playing in the NBA, but Parker said he cried tears of joy.

“Basically, it was all happiness, joy,” Parker said. “I was grateful for this organization that gave me a chance, for my teammates that made me happy for this experience. I can only say good things about the Barcelona experience that I had, especially being on the FC Barcelona team. It was nothing but a dream of mine. And because of this place, I found my love for the game again. And I wasn't sure if I would play basketball again, but because of FC Barcelona, ​​the fans, my teammates, my coaches, my friends here, I found that love again and I'm passionate.”

Jabari Parker: From the NBA to overseas

Jabari Parker entered the NBA in 2014 along with Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid. The trio were among the first three picks in that year's NBA Draft, and while it may not seem like it today, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who held the first overall pick, had a real decision to make.

While the Cavaliers chose Wiggins, the Milwaukee Bucks didn't keep Parker on the bench any longer and signed him as their second pick. Considered another Chicago phenomenon – Parker was the star at the same high school as Derrick Rose – but suffered the first serious injury of his NBA career when he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament just two months into his rookie season.

A little over two years later, in the middle of a season in which he averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists, Parker tore his ACL again. He returned from injury a year later, but didn't get nearly as much playing time or contribute nearly as much to the team's offense due to the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The following offseason, Parker left Milwaukee and signed with his hometown team, the Chicago Bulls.

Parker's reunion in his hometown would not last long, as just months into the 2018-19 season, Chicago traded Parker to the Washington Wizards. After just 25 games with Washington, Parker signed with the Atlanta Hawks, who also traded Parker to the Sacramento Kings at the trade deadline. After a year with the Kings, Parker was released and eventually signed with the Boston Celtics, who also released Parker twice in 2021 and 2022.

In Parker's first season with Barcelona, ​​the team failed to win a single title for the first time in four years.