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SALT LAKE CITY — Seventeen-year-old prep basketball sensation Jabari Parker graces the cover of this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, although the national publication rarely produces a cover story on a high school athlete.
In an exclusive story, the Deseret News reports the allure for SI was the fact Parker is a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as being the reigning National High School Player of the Year. SI devotes six pages to his story, which describes him as "the best high school basketball player since LeBron James, but there's something more important to him than instant NBA stardom: his faith."
The Deseret News spoke with the article's author, executive editor, and photographer about the evolution of the story.
"The fact that he is so good, yet so humble, only makes you want to know more about the kid." B.J. Schecter
"For us, with this story, it's a lot more than basketball," said SI Executive Editor B.J. Schecter. "A lot of people preach that they're into their faith and that it's a huge part of their lives. Jabari actually practices that."
Parker plays for Simeon High in Chicago, where he is a junior. When Simeon claimed the state title in 2011, Parker left his team's celebration early so he could be at church the following day to be ordained a priest; and Simeon's coach schedules Sunday practices in the afternoon so Jabari can attend LDS worship services in the morning.
"Basketball is what I do. It's not who I am," Parker told SI.
"The fact that he is so good, yet so humble, only makes you want to know more about the kid," Schecter said. "With Jabari, his actions are what do the talking, not him. In today's modern athlete, that makes him really unique."
The article, written by LDS journalist and frequent SI contributor Jeff Benedict, chronicles Parker's background, and explains the role Parker's membership in the LDS Church plays in his life.
Read the exclusive article at www.deseretnews.com.
