Jabari Parker: 'I'll play in Alaska or Antarctica if I have to' / News - Basketnews.com

Jabari Parker upholds a steadfast outlook amidst challenges: "Life is all about adversity, it's all about different things, and there's no expectation of what… there's no perfect route for anybody."

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

FC Barcelona power forward Jabari Parker expressed his unwavering commitment to his passion for basketball in an interview with EuroLeague.net.

Jabari Parker

MIN:17.9PTS:10 (75%)REB:3As:0ST:1BL:1TO:1GM:1ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Parker made it clear, he is living in the moment.

"I just want to be the best that I can [be] every day," Parker said. "I don't take days off, and I don't look too far ahead, so [I'm] just trying to be the best that I can be.

"I think that whatever experience that I have, I try to stay in the moment. And no tag defines me. I'll play in Alaska if I have to, I'll play in Antarctica. I just want to play basketball. I want to enjoy myself and enjoy my life.

"It doesn't matter where I go, where I play, because I am who I am, and nothing helps define me."

Parker, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, showed glimpses of what he can offer head coach Roger Grimau on his EuroLeague debut, posting 10 points (all in the fourth quarter), 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block as Barca defeated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 91-74 in Round 1.

Expressing his delight with adapting to life in Barcelona, Parker shared his appreciation for the city.

"I love Barcelona; Barcelona's beautiful," Parker underlined. "The people are very patient here, very nice, especially with people like myself that don't speak Catalan or Spanish real frequently, so it's been nice.

"It is a new chapter in my career. It's something different, something I wanted to do, something that's new. I'm looking forward to it, and I'm excited."

Addressing the challenges of a history marked by injuries that complicated his NBA career after being the second overall pick, Parker maintained a resilient perspective.

"[It was] not devastating at all. Life is all about adversity, it's all about different things, and there's no expectation of what… there's no perfect route for anybody. So, that's what it was, and I bounced back every time."

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