VANCOUVER, WA — Milwaukee Bucks Forward, Jabari Parker, who was the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft, addressed an audience of several hundred at a local LDS meetinghouse Wednesday night.

Parker, 20, who’s graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, and was named National High School Player of the Year, is also the first African-American Mormon to play professional basketball.The NBA player was in town competing against the Blazers Tuesday night, and found time to address a congregation of mostly youth.

He was introduced by the Bucks Strength Coach, Michael Davie, a fellow Mormon. Davie discussed issues of faith, struggle and integrity, and how people should express kindness toward others each day.

The event organizers showed a brief ABC News segment with Katie Couric, from three years ago, that showed Parker attending early morning seminary classes, and how well he performed in prep school.

Couric asked him several questions about his faith, and in particular, the ongoing misconceptions about Mormonism.  Parker said his “faith kept him grounded, but that I have to explain my religion quite often to people.”

He addressed the Vancouver congregation by saying, “What’s up everybody?”

Parker, who’s 6 feet, nine inches tall, said being in the limelight as a basketball player is a challenge, but that “I’m no bigger than anyone else.”

“We have to acknowledge God, and remember that everyone is a child of God,” he said. “You have to have compassion and be a team player on the court, and recognize that we all make mistakes. We’re not perfect, so don’t judge.”

Parker said he started attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the church is formally known, when he was 7.“I have a very strong testimony of the Gospel,” he said. “I read the scriptures often, and my dad taught me that charity is putting yourself second.” 

 

Camas resident, Ethan Convey, waits for an autograph.

During the 90-minute session, audience members were able to write down questions, and have a moderator read those questions to Parker, and Davie.

One of those questions was: “How do you keep your personal standards while working in the NBA?”

Davie said: “These choices were made a long time ago, choices not to drink and to obey the law of chastity.”

Parker replied: “The influence of my youth leaders growing up helped get me here today. And using a basketball analogy, practice makes perfect. You have to keep praying to God, keep reading the scriptures. You have to be nice to people every day. I attribute all my success to God.”

Parker, who grew up in Chicago, Illinois, said his biggest challenge was breaking his foot when he was a junior. He played on a national team, and the doctor warned him of the consequences if he didn’t allow himself to heal properly.

He also addressed issues of peer pressure. “You know, a lot of people wanted to be my friend for the wrong reasons. I had to learn how to deal with that.”

He concluded his message with the following:

“The Gospel brings me more happiness than anything … You have the responsibility to share light with someone.”

He also said he practices 5 hours a day, and doesn’t have a girlfriend.

“It was awesome to have an NBA star right here in Vancouver,” said Jefferson Jackson, 14, of Camas. Jackson came along with his mom, Temple Jackson, his brother, Marc, and friends Ben Brittain, Calvin Wight, and Harrison Wight.

Parker stayed afterwards to shake hands, as well as sign autographs and take pictures with legions of adoring fans.