Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker. (AP Photo/Matthew Holst, File)
Milwaukee Bucks’ rookie forward Jabari Parker will never forget the game against the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 15.
Parker grabbed a rebound early in the third quarter and raced down the court. As he went up for a shot, his left leg buckled and gave out. Sitting on the floor, Parker grabbed his leg, while looking at it in disgust, while talking to himself. Parker then left the game and did not return.
Later that night, Parker was diagnosed with one of the most feared injuries in sports, a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Due to this injury, Parker will undergo surgery and will miss the rest of the 2014-15 season.
Parker was the second overall pick out of Duke University in this year’s draft.
“Jabari was playing at a very high level for us,” head coach Jason Kidd told the Journal Sentinel. “I thought he was doing everything as a rookie, being able to play both ends and help the team win…. It’s sad that a good kid like this is doing all the right things and an injury like that takes him out for the season.”
Parker was averaging 12.3 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game during this rookie campaign. The Bucks are currently 14-13 and sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.