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There are several well-known basketball players with the surname Parker. Tony Parker is a French-American former professional basketball player who played for the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won four NBA championships. He was named the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, becoming the first European-born player to receive the award. Jabari Parker is another famous basketballer who was selected in the 2014 NBA draft and has since played for several teams. Candace Parker is a former professional basketball player who played for the Sparks and won her first championship and Finals MVP in 2016. She was named to the WNBA Top 20@20 list in 2017 and was voted into the WNBA All-Star Game that same year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team | French national team |
| Year | 2013 |
| Opponent | Spain |
| Tournament | Eurobasket |
| Tournament MVP | Yes |
| FIBA's European Player of the Year | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Tony Parker's career
Tony Parker, born on May 17, 1982, is a French-American former professional basketball player. He is the son of a basketball pro and started his career at Paris Basket Racing in the French basketball league. Parker was invited to the San Antonio Spurs' summer camp before the 2001 NBA draft, where he impressed coach Gregg Popovich enough to be selected with the 28th overall pick. Parker quickly became the Spurs' starting point guard and led them to four NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014).
During his rookie season, Parker made 77 regular-season appearances, averaging 9.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. In the 2004-05 season, he signed a six-year, $66 million contract extension and recorded improved regular-season statistics, including 16.6 ppg, 6.1 apg, and a career-high 3.7 rpg. The Spurs won their third NBA championship that year, defeating the Detroit Pistons 4-3 in the Finals.
Parker was selected for the first time as an NBA All-Star for the 2005-06 season, delivering impressive numbers with 18.9 ppg and a .548 field goal percentage. The Spurs qualified for the 2006 NBA Playoffs but were eliminated in the second round. In the 2006-07 season, Parker continued his strong performance, and the Spurs finished second in the Southwest Division. They went on to defeat the Utah Jazz 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals and swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the 2007 NBA Finals, with Parker being named the Finals MVP.
Parker remained a key player for the Spurs in subsequent seasons, despite the team's ups and downs. In the 2008-09 season, he scored a career-high 55 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading the Spurs to their first victory of the campaign. He was named a reserve for the 2009 All-Star Game and helped the Spurs achieve a 54-28 record. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Parker finished his playing career after a season with the Charlotte Hornets. He retired as the ninth-leading scorer and ranked fifth in career assists in NBA playoffs history. In addition to his basketball career, Parker has had acting roles in films and TV series. He also became the majority shareholder and chairman of Lyon Basket Féminine, a French women's basketball club, in 2017.
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Parker's time at the San Antonio Spurs
Tony Parker, born on May 17, 1982, is a French-American former professional basketball player. He started his career at Paris Basket Racing in the French basketball league before joining the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2001.
Before the 2001 NBA draft, Parker was invited to the San Antonio Spurs' summer camp. Coach Gregg Popovich initially had a poor impression of Parker, but after seeing a "best of" mix tape of his plays, he decided to invite him back. On draft day, Parker was selected by the Spurs as the 28th overall pick. Parker quickly became their starting point guard, making 77 regular-season appearances in his rookie season, averaging 9.2 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds.
In the 2002-03 season, Parker played in all 82 regular-season games, improving his statistics with averages of 15.5 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. He led the team in assists on 49 occasions. That year, the Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, defeated the New Jersey Nets 4-2 in the finals, earning Parker his first NBA championship ring.
Despite winning a championship, doubts remained about Parker's future with the Spurs. The team had attempted to acquire Jason Kidd, but Parker expressed his desire to remain San Antonio's starting point guard. He continued to improve during the 2003-04 season, recording 14.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. However, the Spurs were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Playoffs.
Prior to the 2004-05 season, Parker signed a six-year, $66 million contract extension. He continued to excel, recording 16.6 points, 6.1 assists, and a career-high 3.7 rebounds per game. He helped the Spurs reach the 2005 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Detroit Pistons and earned Parker his second NBA championship.
Parker's success continued with the Spurs, and in the 2006-07 season, he maintained strong performances. The Spurs qualified for the 2007 NBA Playoffs, finishing second in the Southwest Division. They defeated the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Cleveland Cavaliers to win the 2007 NBA Finals. Parker was named the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, becoming the first European-born player to receive the award.
Parker remained with the Spurs until 2011 when he played for LDLC ASVEL in France during the NBA lockout. He then returned to the Spurs, winning his fourth and final NBA championship with them in 2014. Parker retired as the ninth-leading scorer and ranks fifth in career assists in NBA playoffs history.
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Parker's time at LDLC ASVEL
Tony Parker, born on May 17, 1982, is a French-American former professional basketball player. He started his career at Paris Basket Racing in the French basketball league before joining the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Spurs with the 28th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft and quickly became their starting point guard.
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Parker played for LDLC ASVEL in France. He has since become the majority owner and club president of the team, spending the past ten years shaping LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne into a basketball powerhouse. In March 2017, Parker also became the majority shareholder and chairman of Lyon Basket Féminine, now known as LDLC ASVEL Féminin, a member of the French women's basketball league.
Parker won four NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014), all with the Spurs. He finished his playing career after one season with the Charlotte Hornets, retiring as the ninth-leading scorer and ranking fifth in career assists in NBA playoffs history. Parker was also named to six NBA All-Star games and was the first European-born player to be named NBA Finals MVP in 2007.
Overall, Parker's time at LDLC ASVEL has been significant, both as a player and in his subsequent roles as owner and president. He has helped shape the team's success and develop its reputation as a basketball powerhouse, demonstrating his commitment to the sport and the team.
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Jabari Parker's career
Jabari Parker is considered one of the most accomplished high school basketball players in American history. He grew up in Chicago's South Shore community and was introduced to basketball through his father's youth leagues. Parker honed his skills with his brother, Christian, on the basketball court at his local meeting house of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By the second grade, Parker's basketball skills were superior to those of fifth-graders, and he competed in middle school leagues as a fifth-grader. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches in the sixth grade, Parker visited Simeon Career Academy for a day and scrimmaged with Derrick Rose. He later attended Simeon Career Academy, following in the footsteps of Rose, Nick Anderson, Ben Wilson, Bobby Simmons, and Deon Thomas. Parker chose Simeon because he believed it would give him the best chance to win championships, and during his time there, he averaged 19.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game.
Following his successful high school career, Parker was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, with the title "The Best High School Basketball Player since LeBron James Is...Jabari Parker but There's Something More Important to Him than Instant NBA Sta [rt]". However, despite his impressive high school career and comparisons to LeBron James, Parker's NBA career was less successful, largely due to numerous injuries. After his time in the NBA, Parker signed for FC Barcelona in 2023, marking a rebirth in his career as he became an important part of their rotation and championship aspirations.
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Candace Parker's career
Candace Parker is a former professional basketball player and current president of Adidas women's basketball. She was born on April 19, 1986, in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Naperville, Illinois. Parker came from a family of basketball players, with her father, Larry, playing basketball in high school and college, and her brother, Anthony Parker, playing in the NBA. Despite her family's love for the sport, Parker was initially reluctant to play basketball herself, fearing she wouldn't live up to the level of her father and brother. Instead, she focused on playing soccer.
However, Parker eventually did take up basketball and became a highly successful player. She was named Illinois State Player of the Year from 2002 to 2004 and was a First Team All-American during the same period. In 2003 and 2004, she was also named Gatorade Female Basketball Player of the Year. After her impressive high school career, Parker went on to play college basketball, where she continued to excel. In 2007 and 2008, she won the John R. Wooden Award.
Parker then went on to have a successful professional career in the WNBA. In 2016, she was named one of the WNBA Top 20@20, a list of the league's best 20 players in celebration of the WNBA's twentieth anniversary. That same year, she helped her team, the Sparks, win their first championship. Parker was named Finals MVP for her performance. In 2017, she signed a multi-year contract extension with the Sparks and was voted into the WNBA All-Star Game, making it her fourth all-star nomination.
In 2021, Parker signed with the Las Vegas Aces and won her third championship with them in 2023. She announced her retirement from professional basketball in April 2024 and was named president of Adidas women's basketball following her retirement. In addition to her playing career, Parker has also worked as an analyst and commentator for TNT Sports since 2018, providing coverage for NBA and NCAA men's basketball games.
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Frequently asked questions
Tony Parker is a French-American former professional basketball player. He spent most of his career as a point guard for the San Antonio Spurs.
Tony Parker won four NBA championships (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014) with the San Antonio Spurs. He was also named the 2007 NBA Finals MVP, becoming the first European-born player to receive the award.
Tony Parker is currently the majority shareholder and chairman of Lyon Basket Féminine, a French women's basketball team now known as LDLC ASVEL Féminin.
Jabari Parker is an American basketball player who has been referred to as one of the most accomplished high school basketball players in history. He was selected in the 2014 NBA draft but has since transitioned to playing in Europe.
Jabari Parker averaged 19.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game in high school. He was also featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, where he was compared to LeBron James.
