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Jabari Parker's quest for NBA Rookie of the Year appears to be over. The 19 year old Milwaukee Bucks rookie forward torn the ACL in his right knee during the Bucks clash with the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, say his team. The No. 2 pick in this year's NBA draft, Parker was averaging 12.3 points a game, and the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. With a slew of other top flight rookies hurt, the race for the accolade is wide open.
Bucks forward Jabari Parker suffered a left knee injury during the third quarter of last night's game in Phoenix. (1/3)
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 17, 2014
He returned to Milwaukee this afternoon to undergo an MRI that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. (2/3) — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 17, 2014
Parker will undergo surgery to repair the injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2014-15 season. (3/3)
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 17, 2014
As reported by ESPN, Parker was stamping himself as "a top rookie of the year contender in Milwaukee's surprising 13-12 start, averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 29.5 minutes in 25 games."
Sources: Bucks' @JabariParker likely to miss rest of the season with a torn ACL, reports @ESPNSteinLine: https://t.co/VLYUbjh75J
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 17, 2014
As Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver points out, Parker "looked confident as a mid-range shooter and showed a willingness to create his own shot off the dribble."
So, who does that leave still in the race for Rookie of the Year?
Well, the No. 2 (Parker), No. 3 (Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers), No. 4 (Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic), and No. 7 (Julius Randle of the L.A. Lakers) lottery picks have all sustained either serious long term or season ending injuries.
It leaves No.1 pick Andrew Wiggins, who's playing well for a terrible Minnesota Timberwolves team that is beset by injuries to just about every key contributor other than the Canadian swingman.
No. 5 Dante Exum is learning the game coming off the bench for the Utah Jazz, while Boston's Marcus Smart, the 6th pick, has missed extended time with a variety of ailments. Sacramento's No. 8 pick Nik Stauskas is having a bumpy ride, No. 9 Noah Vonleh of the Charlotte Hornets has barely played, and Orlando's pick at No. 10, Elfrid Payton has seen his minutes-per-game crater.
A couple of weeks ago Brooklyn Nets rookie, Bojan Bogdanovic, taken at pick 27, would've been a good bet, but his shooting has slipped since and he's lost his starting spot to Sergey Karasev. Nikola Mirotic of the Chicago Bulls and KJ McDaniels of the 76ers have also looked the goods.
It looks like it's Wiggins' award to lose from here on, unless Exum, Mirotic, Bogdanovic or McDaniels can seriously up their game.
Either way, it's a shame we don't get more Jabari Parker in his rookie year, and it's a sentiment shared around the NBA, with players tweeting out their support for the rookie:
Heard the sad news about my youngin Jabari parker...prayers up for you my brother..stay strong and come back stronger. .
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) December 17, 2014
Prayers up for @JabariParker — Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) December 17, 2014
Wishing a speedy recovery to my brother @JabariParker
— Joel-Hans Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) December 17, 2014
Make sure yall pray for a speedy recovery for the young man @JabariParker ! Keep grinding bro! — Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) December 17, 2014
Get better kiiid @JabariParker, come back stronger than ever! Praying for you.
— DeAndre Jordan (@deandrejordan6) December 17, 2014
Man prayers up for the young kid Jabari Parker. Keep ya spirits high young fella — Mario Chalmers (@mchalmers15) December 17, 2014
Sending one up for the young homie @JabariParker for a speedy recovery !
— John Henson (@_John_Henson_) December 17, 2014
RT @_John_Henson_: Sending one up for the homie @JabariParker for a speedy recovery ! ( great kid! Will come back stronger and better) — Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) December 17, 2014
Here's hoping Parker comes back as good as ever.
