Jabari Parker, the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2013, has trimmed his list to five schools.
The 6-foot-8 Parker is now down to BYU, Duke, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford, according to ESPNChicago.com.
Parker cut Kentucky, Kansas, DePaul, Georgetown, North Carolina and UConn.
The Website reported that Parker will take official visits to Duke Oct. 27 and Florida Nov. 2. He is also expected to visit Michigan State. Parker is expected to announce in November.
“He thought about it and looked at the programs. That’s the five he had,” Simeon coach Robert Smith told ESPNChicago.com. “It took him a long time to find. Everyone was really good, but he had to make a decision. He really respected everyone recruiting him and wanted to thank them for their time. He had to pick five and those are the five he wanted to look at. He knew he couldn’t make everyone happy.
“He’s just ready to go out and visit the campuses and get a real feel for the players and the campuses. Him, his family and myself will sit down and see what he comes up with. This is Jabari’s decision. We’re just making sure he’s being guided. I tell him to follow his heart.”
Parker, a Mormon, cut perennial powers Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina but opted to keep BYU.
“All five schools are schools he’s really interested in and really thinking about attending,” Smith said. “He’s really thinking about BYU. I know his faith has a lot to do with it. The coaching staff has been great with him. They’ve been a winning program. That’s one of his choices.”
UConn made a late entry into the process after Kevin Ollie became head coach, but did not make the cut.
DePaul, the local school, was also axed.
“People call me all the time and tell me, ‘I know it’s difficult situation, but they’ve handled it well,'” Smith said. “His mother and father have been doing a good job.”
