Jabari Parker to Saint Sabina youth: “Education first, then sports”

 

By Chinta Strausberg

 

Dubbed “The Best Basketball player Since LeBron James” by Sports Illustrated, Jabari Parker, a 17-year-old senior at Simeon High School, keynoted the 2012 graduation class of Saint Sabina Academy where he told the students to always put education first because basketball is short-lived.

Parker, who is the son of former NBA star Sonny Parker, is of the Mormon faith. While a junior, Parker was named the national boys’ basketball Gatorade Player of the Year and was ESPN High School Player of the year along with numerous other awards.

But, while Parker loves basketball, Father Michael L. Pfleger said he was not selected to be guest speaker because of his All American title but rather because he “is a star person.”  Pfleger said Parker goes to bible study three times a week at 5:30 a.m. Pfleger said Parker’s “faith in God is a foundation on which he stands and the rock in which he lives his life. That is what we teach here at Saint Sabina….”

Pfleger says Parker takes his education seriously. He currently has a 3.7 grade point average.  Pfleger quoted Parker saying, ‘Basketball is what I do, but it’s not who I am.’
“Who he is today says a whole lot about where he came from. The bible says we shall be known by our fruit,” said Pfleger.

Reading remarks from his cell phone, Parker congratulated the 40 graduating students telling them it is the beginning of their career. He told them to put education first on their agenda because it can take them places higher than playing basketball which he says is short-lived.

Quoting his favor scripture, Proverbs 3:5, Parker said, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”  He told the students “to be true to yourself” and that “nobody can get you to do what you don’t want to do….”

Sylvester Johnson, an eighth grade teacher at the Saint Sabina Academy, and Mrs. Deborah Martin-Hodo gave out the diplomas and numerous awards, and Father Pfleger and Saint Sabina Academy principal Helen Dumas handed out the diplomas.

At the end of the graduation ceremony, the graduating students sang, “If we Ever Pass This Way Again,” and Father Pfleger prayed for their protection, progress, success and safety.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.