Jabari Parker: Odds for Each School on College Basketball's Top Recruit's List

Jabari Parker has cut his list of schools down to just five, leaving Duke, Michigan State, Florida, Stanford and BYU to compete for college basketball recruiting's top prize.

The consensus No. 1 overall recruit's decision was broken by ESPN's Dave Telep via Twitter.

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Simeon coach Robert Smith said Jabari Parker is at five with no order: Duke, Michigan State, Florida, Stanford and BYU

— Dave Telep (@DaveTelep) October 5, 2012

 

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The recruiting process is heating up for Parker.

Less than 24 hours after Kentucky received a commitment from the Harrison twins the Wildcats are taken off of Parker's list. This leaves the door open for each of the five schools on his list, but which school is in the lead?

While Parker has not publicly announced an order, there's ample room for speculation.

That's where I come in.

Following this huge development in Parker's recruitment these are my odds for each school remaining on his list.

5. Stanford: 12-1

Standford is a great school...but not so much if you're only interested in basketball.

For an elite prospect like Parker it's tough to see him turning down blue bloods to play for a basketball program like Stanford's which hasn't been nationally relevant for years.

However, Stanford is still making a push for Parker. He's visited them not once, but twice thus far. He is obviously seriously considering them since they made his final five, but I doubt that he will actually play for the Cardinal.

Parker is likely going to be a one-and-done player, so if he goes somewhere for a year he will probably be trying to win. Stanford doesn't really give him that option, which is why they are the lowest of the five teams on this list.

T-3. Florida: 8-1

Billy Donovan is one of the best college basketball coaches in the game today, and he has already proven that he knows how to recruit the Class of 2013, bringing in two top-10 players.

However, the odds of him nabbing the top overall prospect in addition to PG Kasey Hill and PF Chris Walker are slim.

Parker has visited Florida and entertained Donovan during an in-home visit, but that doesn't separate the Gators much from any other school on this list.

We absolutely cannot count Donovan and the Gators out of the race, however, as bringing in an elite recruiting class with three top-10 prospects would give Parker a chance to compete for a national title.

I want to see some more clear interest in Florida before I can give the school a better chance of snagging Parker, but the Gators are the biggest question mark on this list.

T-3. BYU: 8-1

Dave Rose has been making his mark on the recruiting trail over the last few months, landing two top 100 players in the Class of 2013. He''l look to add to his haul with the crowning jewel of the Class of 2013.

BYU may surprise some people who are unfamiliar with Parker. The Cougars aren't exactly an elite program, but the reason they are up here isn't just because of basketball.

Parker's religious faith as a Mormon has become a well-known fact, and BYU offers him something that no other school on this list can offer: A university that identifies with his faith.

BYU has had time to make that pitch a centerpiece in its recruitment of Parker, including when Parker visited campus and had Dave Rose come to him for an in-home visit.

While this factor alone may not keep the Cougars at the top of his list, it certainly gives the program a distinct advantage over the others.

T-1. Duke: 3-1

One of the true blue bloods on Parker's list, Duke's prestige and ability to help Parker compete for a title have them high on his list.

Mike Krzyzewski is arguably the best coach in the game today, and playing under the coach of USA basketball has to be a factor in Parker's mind.

Parker has already visited Duke and hosted Coach K, and the Blue Devils appear to be high on his list. So high, in fact, that they are tied for the lead by all accounts.

Krzyzewski has already amassed a good 2013 recruiting class, bringing in two top-40 recruits. The team will also keep much of its talent from this coming season, giving the Blue Devils a great team to work with.

There is so much to like about Duke, and I've already made the case for the Blue Devils. It's easy to see that Duke is among the leaders for Parker, and there's a good chance that he plays in Durham next season.

T-1. Michigan State: 3-1

Michigan State has been rumored to be tied for the lead in the Parker sweepstakes with the Blue Devils for quite a while now, and all signs point to that being the truth.

Not only did Parker visit Michigan State, but they were among the first schools to host him.

The Spartans also give Parker a good chance to win from day one, and give him the chance to be taught by an elite coach in Tom Izzo.

Michigan State has been called the team to beat and has remained high on Parker's list for months. Sparty is pushing hard to keep Parker close to his Illinois home, and it looks like it's been paying off.

Don't be surprised if Parker dons the green and white of MSU next season.

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