Bucks forward Jabari Parker continues comeback, going 5-on-5 with Wisconsin Herd

OSHKOSH – Only the dozen or so players and coaches of the Wisconsin Herd who were inside the 20th Avenue YMCA in Oshkosh on New Year’s Day got the opportunity to see Milwaukee Bucks guard Jabari Parker hit the court.

But pretty soon, the talented former No. 2 draft pick of the Bucks will be back in action for everyone to see.

Parker practiced with the Herd for the third time in the past couple weeks and took part in the team’s 5-on-5 scrimmage as he tries to come back from a second torn ACL.

“He’s moving really well, jumping, shooting the ball really well and he’s only going to get better,” said Herd leading scorer James Young. “From where he was to where he is now is a big improvement.”

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Parker’s first two appearances at Herd practice sessions came in Milwaukee at the Bucks’ training facility, but he made the trek to Oshkosh on Monday to get some live action in.

Brady said Parker participated in some of the drills with the Herd players Monday, although most of that type of work he does in Milwaukee.

“It’s exciting. It’s exciting for our team to be able to play with him and it’s exciting for him to be back in the flow,” Herd coach Jordan Brady said. “Primarily for him, it’s to get that 5-on-5 so that he can get that conditioning level back up before he’s cleared to play and then also to get back into the rhythm and flow of playing 5-on-5 basketball.”

It’s one of the functions of G-League franchises, according to Brady.

“One of the reasons to have a developmental league team is to help rehab players who are coming off of injury, and anything the NBA club needs we’re happy to do that for him,” Brady said. “The Bucks have a timeline for his rehab and treatment and he’s getting closer (to playing in a game). He’s making really good progress. To me, he’s looking stronger every time I see him.”

There were no set plans for Parker to return to the Herd; however, it’s likely that he will participate in future practices as he gets closer to returning and could appear in a game or two for the Herd before returning full time to the Bucks.

When Parker does join the Herd, Brady sees a benefit for his players getting to interact with a proven NBA player.

“It’s good for them to play with a guy who’s on an NBA contract,” Brady said. “We have several NBA-level players on our roster, so it’s a good opportunity for them — not to measure themselves against a guy like Jabari — but to just be able to play with him.”

When Parker does practice with the Herd, it raises the level of intensity.

“He came here with a lot of energy (on Monday) to get better. We played a scrimmage and I think it went well for him and everybody else,” said Young, who competed against Parker when the two were high school players. “He (raises the level of play) with everybody around him. He was talking on his own, being a leader and helping guys out.”

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Canton Charge at Wisconsin Herd, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Menominee Nation Arena