Tony Parker

William Anthony Parker Jr., born on May 17, 1982, was a French-American professional basketball player. He later became a team owner. He started his career in France with Paris Basket Racing before joining the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA) after being picked 28th overall in the 2001 NBA draft.

Parker quickly became an important player for the Spurs, helping them win four NBA championships.

Parker was known for his speed and skill. He played in six NBA All-Star games and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 NBA Finals. His number 9 jersey was retired by the Spurs. In 2023, Parker was honored by being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Parker also played for the France national team and was named the Most Valuable Player of EuroBasket 2013. After his NBA career, Parker ended his playing days with the Charlotte Hornets and later became a majority owner of LDLC ASVEL in the LNB Élite and the EuroLeague.

Early life

Tony Parker was born on May 17, 1982, in Bruges, Belgium, and grew up in France. His father, Tony Parker Sr., played basketball at Loyola University Chicago and also played in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. His mother, Pamela Firestone, is a Dutch model. Parker has two brothers who also played basketball in college and professionally: T.J. and Pierre.

At first, Parker liked soccer, but after seeing Michael Jordan become famous, he chose to play basketball. He played as a point guard because he was fast and quick. When he was 15, he became a naturalized French citizen but kept his American nationality. Later, he was invited to attend the INSEP in Paris.

Professional basketball career

Paris Basket Racing (1999–2001)

Tony Parker started his professional career with Paris Basket Racing in 1999 when he was 17 years old. In 2000, he played in a contest between American and European All-Stars and did well. He stayed with Paris Basket Racing for another year before entering the NBA draft in 2001.

San Antonio Spurs (2001–2011)

First championship (2002–2003)

Parker joined the San Antonio Spurs in 2001. After some initial doubts, he became a regular player and helped the team win their first NBA championship in 2003.

Second championship (2003–2005)

Parker kept getting better and helped the Spurs win another championship in 2005, beating the defending champions.

Third championship (2005–2007)

Parker was chosen as an NBA All-Star and helped the Spurs win their third championship in 2007, earning the NBA Finals MVP award.

Falling short and injury (2007–2011)

Even though Parker played well, he and the Spurs had a hard time winning back-to-back titles. Parker had some injuries during this time but still played an important role for the team.

ASVEL (2011)

During a break in the NBA season, Parker played for ASVEL, a French basketball team that he also owns a part of.

Return to San Antonio (2011–2018)

Best record in the NBA and finals upsets (2011–2013)

Parker helped the Spurs get the best record in the NBA and reach the finals, but they did not win the championship.

Fourth championship (2013–2014)

In 2014, Parker and the Spurs won their fourth NBA championship together.

Final years with Spurs (2014–2018)

In his later years with the Spurs, Parker had some injuries, but he still helped the team until he retired.

Charlotte Hornets (2018–2019)

Parker played for the Charlotte Hornets for one season before announcing his retirement from basketball in 2019.

National team career

Tony Parker played for France's Junior National Teams in several championships. These included the 1997 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, the 1998 and 2000 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championships, and the 2002 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2000 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship when France won the gold medal.

Parker also played with the French senior national team in many FIBA EuroBaskets. These included the years 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015.

France won the bronze medal in the 2005 FIBA EuroBasket. Parker became the captain of the French national team in 2003. He missed the 2006 FIBA World Championship after injuring his finger. In 2011, France reached the finals of the EuroBasket but lost to Spain. Parker also played in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and helped France win the 2013 FIBA EuroBasket.

In 2015, he became the all-time leading scorer in EuroBasket history during a game against Poland, though this record was later broken. Parker announced his retirement from international competition after the 2016 Summer Olympics. In 2024, the French Federation of Basketball retired his national team jersey number 9, making him the first player in French sport to receive this honor.

Player profile

Tony Parker was a basketball player who stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds. He played as a point guard and was known for being very quick. One of his special moves was a shot called the "teardrop".

At first, Parker had trouble with his shooting. His coach helped him improve, and soon he was shooting much better, including making almost 78% of his free throws. Early in his career, Parker had some knee problems.

Honors

Team honors NBA champion: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014 Individual honors NBA Finals MVP: 2007 NBA All-Star: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 All-NBA Second Team: 2012, 2013, 2014 All-NBA Third Team: 2009 NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2002 NBA Skills Challenge champion: 2012 All-Time NBA European First Team: 2022 All-time leader in assists for San Antonio Member of the 2006 San Antonio All-Star Shooting Stars team. He sealed the victory by making the half-court shot on his first attempt, setting an All-Star Shooting Star record time of 25.1 seconds. He was joined on the team by retired Spur Steve Kerr, and Kendra Wecker from the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. NBA Western Conference Player of the Month for the month of January 2013; first Spurs player to receive the honor since Tim Duncan in April 2002.

Junior national team 2000 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship  Gold and MVP Senior national team EuroBasket 2013  Gold, MVP and Top Scorer EuroBasket 2011  Silver and Top Scorer EuroBasket 2005  Bronze EuroBasket 2015  Bronze Other honors L'Équipe Champion of Champions: 2003, 2013 Inducted into the Legion of Honor with the rank of Chevalier: 2007 Euroscar: 2007, 2013 All-Europeans Player of the Year: 2013, 2014 FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award: 2013, 2014 On the cover of NBA Live 09

Career statistics

This section shows Tony Parker's basketball numbers from his time in the NBA. It includes stats from both the regular games and the playoff games. These numbers tell us how he played over the years in these big basketball moments.

Other ventures

In 2012, Parker and his brothers opened a nightclub in San Antonio, but it closed the next year. In 2015, he started his own basketball academy in Lyon.

In 2019, Parker joined a financial planning firm to help athletes and artists with their money. Later that year, he bought a small part of a women's soccer team in Tacoma, Washington.

Parker helped Paris win its bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics and carried the Olympic torch in Marseille. He also owns a big part of a French basketball team called LDLC ASVEL in Lyon. During a time when NBA players couldn't play, he played for ASVEL. He also became the main owner of the team's women's division.

During his basketball career, Parker gave tickets to kids who needed them. He helped a group that makes wishes come true for children with serious health problems. He also worked with other groups to help people.

Parker made a documentary about his early life and basketball career. He appeared in a movie, some TV shows, and an animated series. He also tried making a music album in 2007 with some famous artists, but it didn’t get great reviews. He later said he was done making music.

Personal life

Tony Parker met American actress Eva Longoria in November 2004. They married in July 2007 in Paris, France, but divorced in January 2011.

Parker later married French journalist Axelle Francine in August 2014, and they have two sons. They separated in August 2020.

On 14 June 2012, Parker was hurt at a nightclub in New York City during a fight. A piece of glass went into his eye, but after surgery, he could play again.