GU signs blue-chip guard from Illinois; academic status up in air

Jeremy Pargo, considered one of the best prep guards in Illinois, has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for Gonzaga University next fall.

Pargo, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder from Chicago’s Robeson High, averaged 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as a junior last season. He attended the ABCD All-American camp in Teaneck, N.J., this summer and was named the camp’s most valuable player. He also attended the NBA Players Association Top 100 camp in Richmond, Va., and is ranked by Hoopmasters.com as the 21st-best high school prospect in the country.

“He’s an unbelievable athlete,” GU coach Mark Few said of Pargo, whose brother, Jannero, played for the Chicago Bulls. “He’s the kind of player who could have gone anywhere. He’s a national-caliber recruit.”

Pargo, who was recruited by several Big-10 schools, hasn’t taken his college entrance exam. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, it has been rumored that Pargo might have trouble qualifying academically for college and could try to go directly to the NBA.

But Pargo told the Sun-Times his primary goal was to qualify.

“I am a lot closer than people think,” he said. “I would like very much to go to college, but if the (NBA) opportunity presents itself, I have no choice but to explore my options.”

Pargo is the third recruit to sign with GU this fall. Earlier this month, GU signed Larry Gurganious, a 6-5 guard from Saint Mary’s High in Berkeley, Calif., and Marmery Diallo, a 6-9 center from Midland (Texas) JC.