Tony Parker: France is my first choice – NBA Update
With the ongoing labour dispute showing no signs of a settlement, NBA players all around the league are looking to get some playing time abroad. The league locked out the players on July 1st and since then more and more
players have said they would consider the option of going overseas. Tony Parker is one of the bigger names among them and the point guard revealed that his first option for playing outside the NBA remains France.
Tony Parker hails from France and is part owner of a basketball franchise there. Parker is currently with the French National Basketball team and played in an exhibition game as part of their preparations for the upcoming EuroBasket.
He scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had four assists in France's 82-60 victory.
Afterwards Parker revealed that he has had interest from various teams and that his agent even had contact with some teams from China, but he himself would love to play in France if the NBA lockout forced games, or the season,
to be lost.
"If I play (abroad), I will definitely play in France, for my fans, for my team, ASVEL."
ASVEL is situated in the French city of Lyon. The team is actually based in the suburb of Villeurbanne and Tony Parker, who plays for the San Antonio Spurs back in the United States of America, is part owner as well as vice President
of the side’s basketball operations.
He revealed that at the moment his focus was on the French National side and he would only look into other mattes once the EuroBasket tournament is over with,
"My agent talked about China a little bit," Parker said. "But for me I just want to focus on the national team, that's most important for me.”
"I'm not going to take any decision until the end of September, after the European Championships. I want to see if I'm healthy, if I'm hurt and by then we will also know a lot more what is happening with the situation of the lockout.”
The player has been hugely successful in the United States and was one of the better performers for the San Antonio Spurs again last season. Parker revealed that his decision would not be based on money. He was more concerned with
the well being and happiness of his family and going back to France appeals to a man who has never forget his roots despite reaching dizzying heights with the Spurs.
“I am passionate about the game. It would be great for my family, my friends, to see me in France.”
It seems like we can expect to see Mr. Parker playing in his home country next season.
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