(MCT) — CHICAGO — Behind a lectern that held 10 microphones Thursday inside the gym at Simeon Career Academy, Jabari Parker initially looked as uncomfortable as I felt.

Nearly 300 people came for the made-for-TV news conference announcing where Chicago’s best high school basketball player since Derrick Rose will spend the nine months preceding the 2014 NBA draft. OK, technically that isn’t true. Fans and media gathered to learn which college basketball program Parker chose after years of high-profile recruiting — even if Chicago spent more time in suspense over Parker’s choice than he likely will spend on campus.