Jabari Parker compared the EuroLeague to the NCAA and stressed that basketball is bigger than the NBA.
Despite his slow start, Jabari Parker has gradually grown into an important piece in FC Barcelona's system under coach Roger Grimau.
The second pick in the 2014 NBA Draft decided to move to Europe and has already formed an opinion on how the game is played in Europe.
"I say the NBA and the EuroLeague is like night and day," he remarked in an interview with the competitions' website.
"It kind of reminds me of college playing here in Europe: every game is counted for. It can either build you or break you and it matters when you play in certain tournaments and for bragging rights. We not only have a rival in [Real] Madrid, but we have rivals everywhere we go and that’s how serious it is."
Parker is averaging 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.0 in PIR over his first 10 EuroLeague appearances with Barca, who have hit the ground running in the top competition as they boast a stellar 8-2 record.
"I love the EuroLeague," Parker declared.
"It's very competitive, it's guys who play basketball the right way and the environment [atmosphere], most importantly, stands out. I just want to do what I do best, but most importantly it’s all about winning. When we win, it takes care of all our problems and as long as I am a byproduct of our team’s success, then I'm happy."
The 28-year-old forward thinks that "basketball is bigger than the NBA, it's global."
"Ever since I was young, when I was watching the Olympics and seeing other teams like Spain and Argentina, I knew that no matter what part or stage of my career, I wanted to play at the best level, no matter where I was," he confided.
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