Focal points of Thursday's draft look to continue "rivalry" in NBA.
Jabari Parker (left) and Andrew Wiggins battled each other three times in the spring of 2013, including this meeting at the Jordan Brand Classic.
Photo by Danny Wild
Following news of
Joel Embiid's foot injury last week,
Andrew Wiggins and
Jabari Parker became the focal point of Thursday's NBA Draft.
Both
NBADraft.net and
DraftExpress.com have Wiggins and Parker going 1-2 to Cleveland and Milwaukee, respectively.
It's a scenario that many scouts and analysts have been forecasting since Wiggins reclassified into the high school Class of 2013 two years ago. Both matched potential with production and on-court success prior to heading off to the college level.
Parker was the MaxPreps National Player of the Year in 2012-13 after leading
Simeon (Chicago) to its fourth-straight Illinois 4A title. He also won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.
After arriving at
Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.), Wiggins was billed by some as the most tantalizing basketball prospect to come along since LeBron James. The 6-foot-7 small forward was a two-time MaxPreps All-American and averaged over 23 points and 11 rebounds per game as a senior.
While the "rivalry" between the talented twosome has been fueled more by Twitter debate and the media than Wiggins or Parker themselves (both quiet, reserved and polite), they have crossed paths a handful of times on the court.
Here's a look at the results of those meetings:
Duke vs. KansasNov. 12, 2013 – United Center (Chicago)Parker appeared to be on his way to a triumphant homecoming in an early-season showdown between the college basketball superpowers. In just his second collegiate game, Parker tallied 27 points and nine rebounds to give Duke a late advantage. But Wiggins took over down the stretch, finishing with 22 points and eight rebounds in just 25 minutes as Kansas prevailed 94-83.
Nike Hoop SummitApril 20, 2013 – Rose Garden (Portland, Oregon)Wiggins was too old to face Parker and the United States at the U16 and U17 level. But he took the floor for the World team in this international exhibition and led a team that also featured Embiid, Dante Exum and Karl Towns Jr. to an impressive 112-98 win. Wiggins notched 17 points and nine rebounds while Parker tallied 22 and seven in a losing effort.
Jordan Brand ClassicApril 13, 2013 – Barclays Center (Brooklyn, New York)Parker finished with 16 points and seven rebounds and earned co-MVP honors as he led the West to a 102-98 victory over the East. Wiggins had a solid showing with 19 points, but teammate Julius Randle beat him out for top honors on the East squad.
McDonald's All-American GameApril 3, 2013 – United Center (Chicago)Wiggins had the more attractive stat line (19 points, four rebounds), but Parker (10 points, eight rebounds) and the West squad emerged with a 110-99 victory. Aaron Gordon – another name to know heading into Thursday night – stole the show on this night in the Windy City with 24 points and eight boards.
Mac Irvin Fire vs. CIA BounceJuly 14, 2011 – Riverview Park (North Augusta, South Carolina)With so much talent at Nike's annual Peach Jam and Wiggins not yet a member of the 2013 class, this matchup is the forgotten episode of the saga. Parker led Chicago-based Mac Irvin Fire to a win over Toronto-based CIA Bounce in the first round of EYBL tournament play, ending Wiggins' summer on the club circuit. See highlights below.
