Jabari Parker is following the footsteps of Derrick Rose as the humble, super-talented leader of Simeon of Chicago.

“[Jabari] is coming into his own a little bit, becoming more vocal,” Simeon coach Robert Smith said. “Which is good, he’s growing up. The pressure doesn’t bother him, which is like Derrick. That’s something that was always huge when Derrick was here. I didn’t know how he could handle so much pressure at that young of an age. They both have done it. I think it has a lot to do with their homes and their upbringing.’’

While Rose was virtually unknown until his sophomore season and didn't receive major national attention until shortly before his senior year, Parker has been constantly in the eye of the public since he began high school.

“All the internet video and social media stuff was really just starting when Derrick was here,” Smith said. “Now we have guys at gyms that are putting video up right away online. If we had that type of social media Derrick might have been the No. 1 player in the country when he was here. Jabari has definitely had a lot more publicity and things going on over his first two years than Derrick had.”

Rose and Parker share an excellent work ethic.

“Jabari has the work ethic,” Smith said. “How he values and appreciates basketball is very similar to Derrick. They appreciate the game and go at the game totally different than a regular kid. That is something huge. Jabari wants to be great at it. When you have a kid that wants to be great they put out their full effort at it, like a doctor or a brain surgeon wants to the best. Jabari wants to be the best basketball player ever.”

Parker also likes to reference past players and games, demonstrating his knowledge of basketball history.

“Jabari has an old soul,” Smith said. “He researches things and wants to know who was the best, how can I be the best, what do I have to do to be the best. That’s a great quality to have. Some of these other guys that are real good don’t know. He knows all the kids in the country that are good. He researches them, how they are doing, how they are playing.”