🏀 From NBA Lottery Pick to European Star: Jabari Parker Signs with Serbian Powerhouse KK Partizan
Once hailed as the future of the NBA, Duke Blue Devils legend Jabari Parker is writing a remarkable new chapter overseas. His career has taken him from national high school phenom to No. 2 overall NBA Draft pick, through devastating injuries, and now to the passionate basketball courts of Serbia, where he’s officially signed with KK Partizan—one of Europe’s premier clubs.
Parker, now 29, has not played in the NBA since a brief stint with the Boston Celtics in 2022. But his love for the game never faded. Last season, the former one-and-done Duke standout showcased a rejuvenated version of himself with Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona, averaging 13.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in the Spanish League and 13.9 points with 4.1 boards in EuroLeague competition. His mutual departure from Barcelona earlier this month opened the door to a new journey—and he didn’t hesitate to seize it.
KK Partizan, based in Belgrade, represents not only a new basketball home for Parker but a second life for a career that could have ended prematurely. Known for their passionate fans and storied legacy, the Serbian club competes in both the Adriatic League and EuroLeague. For Parker, it’s not just about staying in the game—it’s about proving he still has more to give.
A Journey Marked by Resilience
Jabari Parker was one of the most-hyped prospects to come out of Chicago, drawing comparisons to NBA greats before he even set foot on a college court. At Duke, he exploded onto the scene during the 2013–14 season, averaging 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds, and earning All-American honors before declaring for the draft.
In 2014, the Milwaukee Bucks made him the No. 2 overall pick, and Parker showed immediate promise. But just 25 games into his rookie season, tragedy struck—he tore his left ACL, an injury he would tragically repeat in 2017. Though he bounced back to average double figures with Milwaukee, the injuries slowed his once-ascendant trajectory.
He went on to play for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and Boston Celtics, averaging 14.1 points and 5.5 rebounds over his NBA career. But as opportunities in the league began to dwindle, Parker took his talents abroad—first to Barcelona, and now to Serbia.
Why This Move Matters
For Parker, signing with KK Partizan isn’t just about collecting paychecks overseas. It’s about finishing his basketball story on his own terms. He joins a team that regularly competes at the highest level in Europe and offers him a chance to be both a leader and a competitor on a global stage.
There’s something poetic about Parker’s path—once derailed by injury, now redefined by perseverance. While the NBA may have moved on, basketball never left him. And with a new uniform, new fans, and new challenges, Jabari Parker is embracing the second act of a career many wrote off too early.
What’s Next?
Parker will debut with KK Partizan this fall, as the club eyes another deep EuroLeague run. He’s expected to bring both scoring punch and veteran leadership to the squad.
His journey is a reminder: the road to greatness isn’t always straight—and sometimes, it stretches across oceans.
