"Parker has maintained a 3.63 weighted GPA in the classroom and ranks 18th in his class of 377 students. The principal-appointed President of Student Representatives with the Local School Council, he donates his time as a youth basketball instructor and has volunteered locally with Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity), the Salvation Army and the New Beginnings Church. He is also a seminary bible study student and a senior citizen youth ambassador in association with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Hyde Park Ward. He will begin his senior year of high school this fall and remains undecided on a college destination."
Keep your eyes out for Jabari as an up and coming basketball star over the next few years. You can read more about Jabari on the ESPN article where some of this information came from, or various other articles that have been written about him for the past two years.
I've heard about this kid. Seems like a class act. What would be really cool is if he put hoops on hold while he served a mission - something Jimmer didn't do.
ReplyDeleteI'm mixed about that. Where will these guys do the church better? Will their game suffer if they serve a mission? Will they fall away from the church if they don't go? It's an interesting question.
ReplyDeleteThis is Creighton by the way.
DeleteI wonder what William Hopoate would say in response to your questions ...
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAheGUPJI8Y&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL0D8F5B08C6AFBF9B
Obviously, these are personal decisions between them, their families, and the Lord. Interesting things to think about, for sure.
Cool articles! In my generation, Donny Osmond was supposedly told he would do the Church more good continuing with his performance career than serving a mission. It may have been a Mormon myth. Part of the equation is whether you are so famous before you leave that the fame would detract from, rather than add to, your service. I don't know.
DeleteRelated - American Idol runner-up David Archuleta is headed to South America for his LDS mission:
Deletehttp://blog.music.aol.com/2012/03/29/david-archuleta-mormon-mission-video/
I say good for David. Without question, he has tons more name recognition and celebrity status than Jabari Parker does (at least right now anyway). I think it sets a good example not only for other talented LDS youngsters, but I think it's good for the church which stresses that *all* worthy males should strive to do that (not just the worthy males who aren't uber talented). While singing is different than athletics (vocal cords last longer than joints and muscles), I think the principles of sacrifice and priorities are still the same.
That said, I'm definitely still going to root for Parker and every other super talented Mormon even if they forego the mission. Also, I didn't have professional sports or mega millions to pass up when I was leaving. I'd like to think I still would have gone, but you never know, so I don't really want to pass judgment on these guys if they decide to stay home. It's an interesting issue.