Two days after helping Simeon win its fourth straight Class 4A state title, Jabari Parker added another accomplishment to his long list.
The 6-foot-8 Duke-bound forward was named the Morgan Wootten High School Player of the Year at an announcement Monday at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago.
Taya Reimer of Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.) was named the Wootten girls player of the year.
Parker was picked from a group of six finalists for the award, which also takes into account character, leadership, schoolwork and community involvement.
On Saturday, Simeon topped Stevenson 58-40 for the state title behind Parker’s 20 points and eight rebounds. He averaged 18.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Last season, Parker became the first junior to win the Mr. Basketball of Illinois award and was named the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year and the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Parker and Young’s Linnae Harper were the only players from Illinois to be named McDonald’s All-Americans this season. They will play in the games on April 3 at the United Center.
Other boys finalists were Aaron Gordon of Archbishop Mitty (Calif.), Aaron Harrison and Andrew Harrison of William B. Travis (Texas), Dakari Johnson of Montverde (Fla.) and Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep (W.Va.).
Other girls finalists were Lexie Brown of North Gwinnet (Ga.), Kaela Davis of Buford (Ga.), Diamond DeShields of Norcross (Ga.), and Mercedes Russell of Springfield (Ore.).
By Colleen Kane Tribune reporter
Twitter @ChiTribKane
