NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Illinois of last decade

5. Jabari Parker – Duke

In the one-and-done era, it really makes you wonder what some of these athletes could have accomplished had they stayed in college for more than one season. Parker was an elite five-star prospect from Chicago, a 6’8 forward who chose to play for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, becoming yet another stud from Illinois (like current coach Jon Scheyer) to suit up for the Blue Devils.

In his one season at Duke, Parker averaged 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and was the impact player for the Blue Devils. He scored at least 20 points in his first seven collegiate games and later hit his career-high with a 30-point game against rival North Carolina. He had fourteen double-doubles and really starred at the college level, though Duke’s tournament hopes were dashed in an opening round upset by Mercer.

Parker finished the season by leading the ACC in rebounds, finishing second in points, and being named ACC Rookie of the Year and All-ACC First Team. More important, he was named a First Team All-American, with his impact certainly felt and seen on the national stage. He accomplished plenty in that lone season, and was taken with the 2nd pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, with eight years of NBA ball already in his pocket.