Can you tell me everything you know about Tony Parker? Was he born in France and played basketball there or did he move to France after playing basketball in the US? With a name like Tony Parker, I'm guessing that he was born here and moved to France when he was a child. After seeing how quick this guy is, I'm wondering how the Spurs knew he was this good compared to everyone else.
Parker is the son of a Belgian mother and an American father who played pro ball in Europe. His father now lives in Chicago. He grew up in France. He played ball at INSEP, which I believe is a sort of "national academy" for athletics in France. He also played pro ball at some point in France for that team with a weird name "Paris Basket Racing". He also played on the French National Team. He participated in a tournament in Indianapolis last year (Nike World Tournament(?)) and did well in leading the international team versus some US teams. I think a number of the top US collegiate point guards played in that tournament. I know that the Spurs have invested some time in scouting Europe. Sam Schuler, on the Spurs staff, was at one time in the Golden State front office and was credited with finding Sarunus Marcilonius(sp), as well as other players in the draft such as Tim Hardaway, Latrell Sprewell, and Tyrone Hill...who weren't drafted as lottery picks (I think.) The Spurs have drafted a number of European players as of late, Gordan Giricek, Emmanuel Ginobili (MVP of the Finals in the Euroleague for the last 2 years, I believe), and Robertas Javtorkas (some 6'10" Lithuanian mofo with a 40" vertical). The Spurs had scouted Parker a number of times, and sent their assistant GM over to scout him during playoff time here. I know the Spurs tried to deal up for him. I've heard they talked to Golden State about dealing for their #14 pick in order to draft Parker. They also talked to Toronto at #18 or 19 (I think). It's just plain luck that allowed them to get Parker at #28. Orlando, Boston, Seattle, and Utah, among others, worked him out and were interested in him. I think Utah's decision not to draft him was a salary cap decision. He was the Spurs' target on draft day. Gerald Wallace was their #2 target. From what I have heard, teams passed on Parker because of his frame, because he did not play ball in the US, and because he played ball in France. The teams saw the potential, but I guess it still seemed rather strange for a player from France to look so good...I honestly don't know. At some point during the summer, I'm not sure how serious this got, but the Spurs and Sonics had talks about a deal for Payton. The Sonics were adamant that Parker be included. The deal would've been Parker, Daniels, Rose, perhaps another player, and draft pick(s). The deal only would've worked if the Spurs also let DA go without getting anything directly for him. And also contigent on Payton getting that max extension. The Spurs turned that down. Parker wasn't the only reason, but he was a reason. I'm sure someone who is familiar with European bball may be able to clarify Parker's career in France, but I've read that he started playing pro ball over there at age 15. I've wondered where he might go in the draft today...the best guess would be a little higher than the last pick in the first round.
Here's his draft profile @ NBA.com: http://www.nba.com/draft2001/playerfiles/tony_parker.html?nav=ArticleList Full Name: William Anthony Parker Position: Guard College: N/A Height: 6-2 (188 cm) Weight: 177 (80.3 kg) High School: National Institute for Sports and Physical Education (Paris, France) Birthdate: May 17, 1982 Birthplace: Bruges, Belgium NBA DRAFT 2001 Selected in the first round (28th pick overall) by the San Antonio Spurs. HIGHLIGHTS An early entry candidate for the 2001 NBA Draft. Now playing at the top level in France. A member of France's Junior National Team in 1998 at the European Championships and again at the 2000 European Junior Championships. At the 2000 event in Zadar, Croatia, averaged 14.4 points to finish among the top 10 scorers in the competition. Had 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio for tournament. Played the past two seasons for Paris Basket Racing (formerly known as PSG Racing) in France, seeing backup minutes at point guard for one of France's top teams his first season and becoming a starter in his second season. Had a strong showing as a starting point guard this year. Averaged 14.7 points and 5.6 assists in 33 minutes. Had 168 assists and only 66 turnovers, a better than 2.5-to-1 ratio. As an 18-year-old backup point guard last season, averaged 10 minutes, 3.9 points and 1.7 assists for Paris Basket Racing. Attended INSEP, the National Institute for Sports and Physical Education in Paris. Averaged 22.1 points and 6.5 assists. Enjoyed an outstanding performance in the 2000 Nike Hoop Summit played at Indianapolis on April 2, 2000. Led the International Select Team with 20 points and seven assists, adding four rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes of play. In the game, he hit six of 11 field goal attempts and all seven of his free throw attempts. Teammates for the game included Olumide Oyedeji (Seattle SuperSonics), Neil Fingleton (North Carolina) and 2001 NBA Draft hopefuls Bostjan Nachbar of Slovenia and Goran Cakic of Yugoslavia. Zach Randolph of the USA Basketball Team scored 24 points to give the USA a 98-97 victory. According to telebasket.com, he has good fundamentals and skills for the point guard position. Quick and efficient, he is capable of penetrating to the basket and making the correct pass. Owns an effective pull-up jumper.
As League Pass subscribers will verify, Joel Myers & Sean Elliot already have him in the Hall of Fame.
Did he ever play for the Jet Services? <img src="http://www.univ-pau.fr/~cgout/9798/norris.jpg"> Damn, I love that pic...
MrSpur, That's exactly what I was looking for. I know we have had our differences in the past, but you are alright and a very knowledgeable and classy non-Rocket fan. Thanks again.
I heard Tony Parker's dad was Buddies with Glenn Doc Rivers when Doc played ball , Tony's dad was a Playground legend in the states and ol' Doc knew him and his family very well . Wasnt it Kobe Bryant's Dad Joe Bryant who played in Europe and the NBA? must be feeding those kids something over there .
Kobe's dad, Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, actually played for the Rockets for awhile at the end of his career. Who is Tony Parker's dad-- this playground legend?
It was one of those Big 5 Philly schools-- not sure which. St. Joe's comes to mind, though. Not Temple. Not Villanova. Not Penn.
Agreed, Stevie was going off on him, and beating him in every stat including more assists and fewer turnovers, and all they can say is how well Parker was playing. That said, Parker looks like a great pick for the Spurs. A lot of teams drafting after 18 or so sure wish they could pick over again. Still doesn't bode well for the Spurs this year deep in the playoffs that their rookie is better than their veterans (AD or Porter). We found out rookie guards, even as good as Cuttino and MD, are really not what you want in the playoffs. Not trying to pick a fight with Mr. Spur, but I just don't think the Spurs guards and swing players will match up with the Lakers or Kings, and will do them in sooner or later. Just like some good Rocket teams loaded on the front court but with either young talented guards (Mobley/MD years) or marginal veteran guards (Maloney, Price) eventully found out.
