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The Next Lebron Might Serve a Mormon Mission
By: Mormon Heretic
Lebron James and the Miami Heat finally won an NBA Championship a few weeks ago. James jumped straight from high school to become an NBA star. So who might be the next Lebron James? It could be a Mormon named Jabari Parker, a 17-year old junior in Chicago. Sports Illustrated recently featured him on their cover, and has discussed his choice to serve a mission, as well as other high-profile athletes that have/have not served missions. Jabari says there is more to his life than basketball: his faith is very important to him.
Notable Athletes who Served a mission
- Shawn Bradley -12 year NBA Career
- Chad Lewis – 9 year NFL Career
- Austin Collie – currently plays for Indianapolis Colts
Notable Athletes who did not serve
- Steve Young – NFL Hall of Famer
- Danny Ainge – NBA great
- Jimmer Fredette – rookie with Sacramento Kings
Judging from the two lists, athletes who did not serve have had better pro careers. Do you have any advice for Jabari? On top of the poll on Saturday, do you think Jabari should follow Bishop Ainge and not serve a mission?
Of course there are always rugby stars to compare this case against as well.
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Bryan Kehl is another current pro athlete who has served a mission: http://www.nfl.com/player/bryankehl/1369/profile
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I think tying career success to a choice to serve is like tying marriage success to paying tithing.
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I think he should seriously pray for an answer and those around him should accept whatever answer he receives. Sounds like he has the best bishop to help him. Church PR or not, even if he did serve a mission chances are he would get stuck doing whatever Archuleta is doing. My friends and I joke he is stuffing envelopes for two years, but all I know is that he is not proselytizing.
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I didn’t mean to imply that Danny ainge was jabiru’s bishop. Danny ifs bishop in Boston, while Parker lives in Chicago.
I know that Ben Olson had a tough time choosing mission vs not. He chose mission, and left with Byu in turmoil between Gary Crowton. Olson transferred to UCLA. He should have stayed at Byu.
Any way, Ben is happy with his decision, butknew the decision would impact his NFL prospects.
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In a world where sports stardom leads young men to make stupid, stupide choices, I admire Jabari Parker’s willingness to have a conversation, even a public one, about his options in life. And should he choose to serve, I suspect the Lord can figure out how to use him well.
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Can he just choose not to do a mission and pay a 20% tithing rate instead. It seems to work well as an argument for healthcare. :D
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Can we please, please, please give Brother Parker some space? This is especially important since he will be announcing his school of choice this season and then presumably be making the choice of more school, mission, or NBA the next season.
The only difference between him and Elder Archuleta is that Brother Parker is not so universally known. Even if he were to lead his team to an NCAA basketball championship, that is more of a national, NOT an international sport. He could serve in South America or Europe or Asia without throngs around him.
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“Do you have any advice for Jabari?”
Absolutely none! I enjoyed reading about him in Sport’s Illustrated, but like #8, prefer to avoid engaging in telling his future or discussing his personal options. When he has made his life decisions, I will read about them and have confidence in his abilities to make wise ones with the influence of his outstanding family.
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he should go to BYU. he could be a legend there. anywhere else he’s just a one and done
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Shawn Bradley was a one and done at BYU. What’s wrong with that?
I know that John Calipari doesn’t have a stellar reputation among college coaches, but he does a great job at grooming talent. It I was that good, I’d think about Calipari and Kentucky as a destination.
Of course, I think Coach Krystowiak at the U of U would be a better destination than BYU. PAC-12 competition is much better than WCC, and I’m sure that Coach K would let Jabari out on a 2 year mission.
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I agree with other posters that everyone should stay out of it and it’s his decision, to be respected either way.
However, knowing the amount of pressure the Church puts forth on young men with regard to this, along with ward pressure,etc, it doesn’t leave me with a good taste in my mouth for any young men with this decision, let alone this one.
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#12 – Those with this level of talent generally have not served missions – and one of them quoted in the article is now a Bishop and President of the Boston Celtics. Just saying.
It’s his choice – and either one can be the correct one. That’s all I’ve got.
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