‘My Story’ by Jabari Parker: 'The only jersey I keep will be Barça's'
Barça basketball star Jabari Parker celebrated his 30th birthday last Saturday and on Sunday he produced one of his performances of the season, scoring 34 points, including a record six three pointers, in the win over Andorra. The power forward says his diet and training keep him young during a career which has had its ups and downs.
As a youngster, great things were expected of Parker after he was chosen second in the NBA draft. However, injuries to both knees was a serious obstacle to overcome and now he is back on track at Barça. In the latest edition of 'My Story', the podcast created by Barça Studios and available on Spotify, Jabari Parker takes us through his career up to now.
The Chicago born star explains how he came to sign for Barça: "I was thinking that I wouldn't be able to sign for anyone. I didn't pick up my agent's calls and he came to see me [Parker was in Hawaii training on his own]. He said to me, 'I have known you since you were a kid, you need to keep playing.' My agent in Europe called me and asked me if I could get to Barcelona the next day. I caught a 14 hour flight, had a trial at the Ciutat Esportiva and 24 hours later I signed."
In Barcelona he found once again his love for the game: "Here it is spiritual. People, live, eat, drink and sleep basketball. That's what I want because I love this sport. When I see fans singing for 40 minutes, or when I see 70 year olds coming to every game, I know what it means to be here."
"I have never kept trophies at home, but the only jersey I will keep at home is Barça's." Parker defines Barça legend Audie Norris as 'a guy'. "He played in the NBA against my dad and he helped me a lot last season because I was the only American in the team. When I speak to him it takes me back to watching him play in Chicago," reveals the power forward.
The importance of doing what you love
"It would have been nice to be big star in the NBA, but nothing is guaranteed. I could have quit at 14 and now at 30 I am playing the sport that I love, playing in the Euroleague and in a spectacular club and city," says Parker, adding that his success is down to "doing what I love, waking up and seeing my loved ones and talking to my friends. I have been able to get my family out of the ghetto."
He often asks himself a question: "How many people are playing basketball at the top level after the injuries that I have had. There was no guarantee that I would be able to walk normally, but at times I forget that I can do the same things I did without the injuries. I feel lucky," reveals Parker.
A childhood on the church court
Going back to his childhood, Parker says he has got where he is today thank to structure and discipline of his family. His parents introduced him to the Mormon faith and those principals remain within and define who he is.
At school he remembers "playing in the playground", whilst also recalling he was the last child to start walking and how he felt he stood out due to his height. "I always wanted to be as tall as the other kids," he explains. He learnt to play basketball even without his glasses as he did not want to be a "nerd". His father was an ex-NBA player and he taught Parker and his older brother the game. The three pillars of his childhood were his family, basketball and the church. He grew up in the South Shore neighbourhood of Chicago where not all families were like his. "When my mum used to work, my dad was at home and I didn't have the temptation to stay out late," recalls Parker.
His father did not even like him playing basketball in the street: "Anything could happen, fights, people selling things, shootings. Fortunately, my brother had the key to the church and we spent all our time playing on the court next to it. That's the reason why I am here today still.
Away from the spotlight
Despite the numerous covers of Sports Illustrated lauding a future NBA star, Parker does not have a profile on social media. He tries to stay out of the spotlight and keep his feet on the ground. "There is no difference between me and the kid who cleans the floor in the Palau," he says before adding that he was "mentally prepared" for the NBA. He only thought about helping his family: "I needed to get them out of the neighbourhood, people were getting shot and dying in front of our house."
Parker is great movie buff and in the future he would like to direct his own film. He also touches on his decision to change to a vegan diet. "I had a problem with unhealthy food. I grew up in an environment where food was scarce and I needed to go back to being disciplined as with money you can get what you want," he admits. When a church friend developed cancer, Parker reacted. "I learnt to make a change and to ask for healthier food. I play better because of him. He died two years ago and I miss him a lot," concludes Parker before finishing the interview by explaining the reasons he has done it, with a special jersey full of meaning for him.