According to a press release from Bucks.com, second-year Milwaukee forward Jabari Parker has been medically cleared to play against the Philadelphia 76ers at home Wednesday. Guard Tyler Ennis has likewise been cleared to play Wednesday. Here’s what general manager John Hammond and head coach Jason Kidd had to say via the team’s official release:
“We’re very excited to have both Jabari and Tyler medically cleared to play for us,” said Hammond. “Both players have put in a tremendous amount of hard work during the rehabilitation process. It’s a real credit to their work ethic and the talents of our world-class medical team and terrific coaching staff to have them ready to go. I know our fans are thrilled to have them back and will give them both a warm welcome on Wednesday night.”
“Having Jabari and Tyler back on Wednesday is great news for our team,” said Head Coach Jason Kidd. “We know how many long hours they’ve worked to get themselves healthy with our first rate performance team led by Troy (Flanagan) and Suki (Hobson). I know how much our team has been looking forward to their comeback, and being able to return to play in front of our great fans in Milwaukee has been their goal.”
Parker, the No. 2 pick in the 2014 Draft, played just 25 games during his rookie season before tearing his ACL in a mid-December matchup. Up to that point, he’d been averaging 12.3 points and 5.5 rebounds and was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month during the first two months of the season.
Parker will join what is already considered one of the league’s most promising young cores, and he’ll add some desperately-needed shooting to the lineup. Aside from Khris Middleton and O.J. Mayo, the rest of the young Bucks couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn last year. Parker has the potential to evolve into a pure scorer in the NBA, and as a stretch-four in Milwaukee’s rotation, he’ll help alleviate some of play-making responsibilities and be a boon for their floor spacing if he can find some consistency on his outside shot.
After a dreadful 15-67 finish two season ago, the Bucks made a triumphant return to the playoffs last season and are looking to take the next step in 2015-2016. A healthy Parker is a big part of that equation.
(Via Bucks.com)
