Jabari Parker pick won't come early

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CHICAGO -- Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1-ranked senior, doesn't plan to commit and sign during the early signing period, his father said on Tuesday.

Parker, a 6-foot-8 forward, recently cut his list from 10 to five schools: BYU, Duke, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford.

Parker is scheduled to visit Michigan State this weekend, Duke (Oct. 26-28), Florida (Nov. 2-4), Stanford (Nov. 9-11) and BYU (Nov. 16-20). He's previously made unofficial visits to all of the schools, except Florida.

The early signing period is from Nov. 14-21, and Parker would only have one day following his final visit to make a decision.

"I would like for him to commit and sign in one day," Parker's father Sonny Parker said. "He's doing this thing on his own, and I just have to support him. From what I'm hearing (from him), he's going to commit probably in December.

"He committed to his five visits. Maybe it'll change. As of now, everything has been scheduled."

If Parker doesn't sign in the earlier signing period, he will have to wait until the spring. The regular signing period is from April 17-May 15.

Parker will be joined by his parents on the trip to Michigan State this weekend. Spartans coach Tom Izzo has developed a strong relationship with the family.

"(Izzo's) been recruiting him since ninth grade," Sonny said. "We've had a relationship with him during that period. He's pretty much been to more games watching my son than I have. He's been to all of his games during the summer, during the season. He's been pretty consistent."

As a junior, Parker was named the ESPNChicago.com Player of the Year, Illinois' Mr. Basketball and the national Gatorade Player of the Year. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.4 steals a game.

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Scott Powers is a general reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.