Future Duke Blue Devil Jabari Parker Wins 4th State Title

By Dave Daniels
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

The Simeon Academy Wolverines are the Illinois Class 4A state champions after beating a young Stevenson squad (29-5) 58 to 40. A big part of their success? Jabari Parker, although you will rarely hear him talk about himself.

“I didn’t get here by myself, and we didn’t get here by ourselves,” Parker told the Chicago Tribune. “That was impossible what I pulled off getting back healthy, but it was from the help of everybody.”

Jabari had 20 points and eight rebounds in the state final, and what an incredible season he had. He made a surprise early return in Simeon’s season opener, although he was carrying about about 30 extra pounds due to his fractured foot’s recovery period. He is now back in fantastic shape and he will now try to carry his success over to the Duke Blue Devils.

Simeon finished the year with the fantastic record of 30-3 and they will now begin their life post-Parker. He had an amazing impact on their program and he will be missed.

“I don’t think there’s a program now in the state that’s better than this one,” Simeon Coach Robert Smith said. “I think we proved that as a coaching staff. I think we proved that as players.”

Smith has certainly proven himself, and Simeon will be back to the State title game; you just have to wonder if it will ever happen 4 times in a row again.

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