CBSSports.com Freshman of the Week: Jabari Parker, Duke

Duke's Jabari Parker was arguably the most impressive player on the court last Tuesday -- and he's now the Freshman of the Week.

By Jeff Borzello

Nov 19, 2013 at 9:33 am ET • 1 min read

6-foot-8 Jabari Parker is shooting an absurd 66.7 percent from 3-point range. (USATSI)

We’re going to have arguments all season long in which we compare Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Andrew Wiggins. But I’m guessing this week was the final time I will argue Parker against . . . Marcus Foster.

Foster, a 6-foot-2 guard from Kansas State, had a huge week for the Wildcats. First, he knocked down four 3-pointers and scored 25 points to help Kansas State avoid a loss to Oral Roberts. He followed that up with 17 points and another four 3-pointers against Long Beach State.

As a result, he was a fine candidate for Freshman of the Week – but it wasn’t enough to take down Parker.

I know Duke lost in last week’s showdown against Kansas, but Parker was arguably the most impressive player in either game that night. The 6-foot-8 forward from Simeon (Ill.) had 27 points and nine rebounds before fouling out – including shooting 4-for-7 from 3-point range and making plenty of difficult shots. Kansas switched Andrew Wiggins onto him in the second half, which stifled Parker for a stretch, but eventually he forced Wiggins into his fourth foul by going into the post.

That wasn’t all Parker did last week, though. In an easy win over Florida Atlantic, Parker went for 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, while shooting 7-for-13 from the field and 4-for-6 from 3-point range.

(Note: The Freshman of the Week takes into account games played last week, so Parker’s game Monday against UNC-Asheville won’t be mentioned.)

I said this on Twitter during Parker’s game against Kansas, and I still think it’s true. Parker might be the most complete offensive player in college basketball. There might be better post players or shooters or playmakers, but Parker can do a little of everything. He can score inside, is deadly in the mid-range, and can knock down shots from the perimeter. Parker is also a solid passer.

On the season, Parker is averaging 22.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He’s shooting better than 59 percent from the field and a ridiculous 67 percent from 3-point range.