Saturday evening, seven former Illinois prep athletes saw minutes in a NBA game. Below I look into and share each of their NBA performances from April 17.
Best of the day: Jabari Parker
Simeon’s Jabari Parker looked very comfortable in his new setting. He even helped bring a boost to the offensive in the Boston Celtics win against the Golden State Warriors.
Head coach Brad Stevens had lots of positive things to say after the game. Steven said, “We needed some points and he gave us an opportunity there.”
- Jabari Parker (Simeon/Celtics)- 16 minutes, 11 points, 5/6 FG, 0/1 3PT, 1/2 FT, 4 offensive rebounds, 2 turnovers, and +6 in a 119-114 win over the Warriors.
Stevens also has this to say before the game:
Marcus Smart on Jabari Parker’s Celtics debut:
The rest of the performances of the day:
- Jahlil Okafor (Whitney Young/Pistons)- 7 minutes, 0/1 FG, an assist, 2 turnovers, and -2 in a 121-100 loss to the Wizards.
- Talen Horton-Tucker (Simeon/Lakers)- 22 minutes, 8 points, 3/5 FG, 0/1 3PT, 2/3 FT, 5 rebounds, an assist, a turnover, and -4 in a 127-115 win over the Jazz.
- John Konchar (West Chicago/Grizzlies)- 12 minutes, 2 points, 1/2 FG, 0/1 3PT, an offensive rebound, 2 total rebounds, an assist, a game-high 3 steals, 2 turnovers, and +3 in a 128-115 win over the Bucks.
- Keita Bates-Diop (University/Spurs)- 4 minutes, 0/2 FG, an assist, 2 steals, and -1 in a 111-85 win over the Suns.
- Frank Kaminsky (Benet/Suns)- 6 minutes, 0/2 FG, 0/1 3PT, 0/4 FT, 3 rebounds, an assist, a turnover, and +1 in a 111-85 loss to Spurs.
- Jevon Carter (Proviso East/Suns)- 25 minutes, a team-high 17 points, 7/11 FG, 3/7 3PT, 0/2 FT, an offensive rebound, 2 total rebounds, a steal, a turnover, and -16 in a 111-85 loss to Spurs. His seven made field goals and three made three pointer were team-highs in the Suns loss on Saturday.
