Basketball always ranked as the backup plan for Jabari Parker.Education and his faith came first. They still do."Basketball is going to end," Parker said.Matt Marcinkowski/ESPNHSJabari Parker already has numerous accolades. Now you can add No. 1 on the ESPN 100 to the list.Strange talk from a kid who turned 17 in March and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated last week, labeled as the best high school player since LeBron James, who took his game straight from the Ohio prep courts to NBA stardom in 2003.But that's Parker, a three-time 4A state champion at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy and the No. 1-ranked prospect in the newly released ESPN 100 for the Class of 2013.As uncommon as his talent and promise rate in basketball, Parker's attitude ... Continue reading →
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Tom Hauck/ESPNHSCasa Grande (Petaluma, Calif.) junior defensive lineman/running back Elijah Qualls was one of seven athletes to receive an invitation to The Opening at the Oakland NFTC regional camp on Sunday. SAN PABLO, Calif. -- No shoes? No problem. Hatari Byrd -- the safety from Central High School in Fresno, Calif., who is coveted by the likes of Notre Dame, Oklahoma and UCLA -- showed up Sunday a step behind the competition at the Oakland Nike Football Training Camp. Two steps, actually. Byrd, you see, lent his football spikes to a friend for another event here at Contra Costa College on Saturday. They didn't get returned, so Byrd, limited in his sneakers, stood aside for many of the drills Sunday as his fellow defensive backs ... Continue reading →
Substance and style Offers abound for Fresno Central (Calif.) quintet of flashy defensive backs Originally Published: May 18, 2012 By Mitch Sherman | RecruitingNation Tom Hauck/ESPNHSJunior defensive back L.J. Moore was one of five teammates from Central (Fresno, Calif.) at the Oakland NFTC regional camp on Sunday.SAN PABLO, Calif. -- Say this about the five-man secondary from Fresno (Calif.) Central High School on display Sunday at the Nike Football Training Camp: They had style. From Johnny Johnson's black tights and white skullcap to L.J. Moore's orange gloves, coach Tony Perry's defensive backs stood out -- and for more than just their choices in clothing. Perry, a longtime defensive backs coach in northern California, has assembled an all-star group, led by Moore, a cornerback, and safety ... Continue reading →
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