Jabari Parker fought back tears during a recent interview while playing overseas. On Monday, the former NBA No. 2 overall pick explained his emotional reaction.
Parker’s FC Barcelona squad on Sunday got swept 3-0 by their Spanish league rivals Real Madrid in the Liga ACB semifinal. Parker was interviewed by Jijantes reporter Marc Mundet after the game.
Parker started crying and was unable to speak when asked to comment on his first year playing outside of the United States.
Jabari Parker gets emotional when asked about his first year overseas 💔
(via @JijantesFC)pic.twitter.com/iwCOCH7Nz3
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 3, 2024
The clip went viral on X. Fans immediately began speculating on what could have triggered Parker’s seemingly downhearted response.
But Parker later clarified to Mundet that the reaction was one of “all happiness” toward his new team for reigniting his love for the game.
“It was gratitude for this organization for giving me an opportunity. For my teammates, for making me happy about this experience. … Because of this place, I found my love for the game again,” Parker told Mundet in a follow-up interview.
“I wasn’t sure if I was playing basketball again. But because of FC Barcelona, the fans, my teammates, my coaches, my friends here, I found that love again and that passion.”
‼️ BARÇA | @JijantesFC
Jabari Parker ens ha fet arribar la resposta que ahir no va poder contestar per l'emoció.
📡 Jabari Parker a @jijantesfc: "Van ser llàgrimes d'agraiment. No estava segur de poder tornar a jugar. A Barcelona he recuperat el meu amor pel bàsquet". pic.twitter.com/PagtYz3Ali
— Marc Mundet (@MarcMundet78) June 3, 2024
Parker signed FC Barcelona in August after being unable to draw interest from any NBA teams. A month later, Parker even took a shot at the NBA for being “watered down” while praising European leagues for being more “legitimate.”
Parker appeared destined for stardom early in his NBA journey. The Duke alum’s career was derailed by a slew of knee injuries that severely limited his explosiveness.
Parker last played for the Boston Celtics in the 2021-22 season. He appeared in just 12 games, averaging 4.4 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest. Parker was slated to play for the Milwaukee Bucks — the team that drafted him — in the 2023 NBA Summer League but had to pull out due to personal reasons.
H/T Basket News
