Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Product Jabari Parker Sizzles in Long-Awaited Return

The Duke basketball one-and-done is beginning to get buckets in Spain.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Jabari Parker (Daniel Shirley-USA TODAY Sports)
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Until this week, former Duke basketball star Jabari Parker had not played a game in the NBA or any other league since suiting up for the Boston Celtics in January 2022. That's over a year and a half ago.

Although the oft-injured forward would probably prefer to be back in the NBA, he's now in Spain and on a quest to show his talent is still intact.

And in his debut for FC Barcelona, a season-opening 95-79 win over Joventut Badalona on Sunday, the 28-year-old Chicago native and 2013-14 USBWA National Rookie of the Year as a Blue Devil did precisely that. He led the team in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field despite seeing only 11 minutes of action.

Check out Parker's array of silky scoring moves in the highlights below:

It certainly signals an encouraging start to his first stint overseas. Chances are his playing time increases.

Currently, 24 Duke basketball products are on contract in the NBA for the 2023-24 season. Perhaps if Jabari Parker strings together more impressive outings for FC Barcelona, he will end up on that list of active NBA Blue Devils next month as teams look to fill holes that may pop up on their rosters during the preseason slate.

Parker's professional journey began in 2014 after going No. 2 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks at the NBA Draft following his one-and-done Duke basketball campaign. He's played for six franchises, with career averages of 14.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

RELATED: Expert Sees Two Top-10 Draft Prospects on Duke's Roster

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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