Parker played for France's Junior National Teams at the 1997 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, both the 1998 and 2000 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championships, and the 2002 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. He was elected the Most Valuable Player of the 2000 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, when France captured the gold medal, and Parker averaged 25.8 points, 6.8 assists and 6.8 steals per game. With the French senior national team, Parker has played in the 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 FIBA
European Championships.
France won the bronze medal in the 2005 FIBA European Championships, by
defeating the Spanish national team 98–68 in the bronze medal game. As the captain of the French national team since 2003, Parker was slated to lead France at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but he was unable
to play after breaking a finger when he caught his hand in the jersey of a Brazilian national team player in France's final warm up for the tournament.During the 2007 FIBA European Championship, Parker averaged
20.1 points per game and 2.8 assists per game in nine tournament games, but France was defeated in the quarter-finals by the Russian national team. He passed the 2010 FIBA World Championship to recover fully
from some injuries he had during the 2009–10 NBA season. Parker returned to the team in 2011, and France reached the finals of the FIBA European Championship, losing to Spain. Parker also joined the team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
European Championships.
France won the bronze medal in the 2005 FIBA European Championships, by
defeating the Spanish national team 98–68 in the bronze medal game. As the captain of the French national team since 2003, Parker was slated to lead France at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but he was unable
to play after breaking a finger when he caught his hand in the jersey of a Brazilian national team player in France's final warm up for the tournament.During the 2007 FIBA European Championship, Parker averaged
20.1 points per game and 2.8 assists per game in nine tournament games, but France was defeated in the quarter-finals by the Russian national team. He passed the 2010 FIBA World Championship to recover fully
from some injuries he had during the 2009–10 NBA season. Parker returned to the team in 2011, and France reached the finals of the FIBA European Championship, losing to Spain. Parker also joined the team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Parker was born in Bruges, Belgium, but raised in France.[2][3] His
father, Tony Parker Sr., an African-American, played basketball at Loyola
University Chicago as well as professionally overseas.[4][5] His
mother, Pamela Firestone, is a Dutch model.[3] Parker
enjoyed close relationships with his brothers and they would often attend their
father's basketball games together.[6] At
first, Parker was more interested in soccer, but after watching the evolution of
Michael Jordan into a global basketball
superstar, he changed his mind.[7]
Moreover, Parker's two younger brothers were also heavily involved in
basketball; T.J. and Pierre would go on to play basketball at college and
professional levels.[3] As
Parker built his skill, his lack of size (notwithstanding a growth spurt at 15)
decided his position on-court.[7] He
played the point guard position, recognizing that his speed
and agility made this position ideal for him.[7] He was
eventually talent-spotted and asked to attend the National Institute for Sports
and Physical Education in Paris.[8] After
playing in the French amateur leagues for two seasons, Parker turned
professional and signed with Paris Basket Racing in 1999.[3]
In the summer of 2000, Parker was invited to the Nike Hoop Summit in Indianapolis. There, in front of professional
scouts and college coaches, he competed against the likes of future NBA players
Darius
Miles, Zach Randolph and Omar Cook. In a contest between the American and
European All-Stars, Parker recorded 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds
and two steals.[9] The
Frenchman's performance prompted a recruiting war between several colleges,
including UCLA and Georgia Tech who were on the verge of persuading
Parker to join them.[9]
However, Parker decided to forgo the NCAA and to remain in France; he spent the next
two years with Paris Basket Racing in the French League before entering the 2001
NBA Draft.
father, Tony Parker Sr., an African-American, played basketball at Loyola
University Chicago as well as professionally overseas.[4][5] His
mother, Pamela Firestone, is a Dutch model.[3] Parker
enjoyed close relationships with his brothers and they would often attend their
father's basketball games together.[6] At
first, Parker was more interested in soccer, but after watching the evolution of
Michael Jordan into a global basketball
superstar, he changed his mind.[7]
Moreover, Parker's two younger brothers were also heavily involved in
basketball; T.J. and Pierre would go on to play basketball at college and
professional levels.[3] As
Parker built his skill, his lack of size (notwithstanding a growth spurt at 15)
decided his position on-court.[7] He
played the point guard position, recognizing that his speed
and agility made this position ideal for him.[7] He was
eventually talent-spotted and asked to attend the National Institute for Sports
and Physical Education in Paris.[8] After
playing in the French amateur leagues for two seasons, Parker turned
professional and signed with Paris Basket Racing in 1999.[3]
In the summer of 2000, Parker was invited to the Nike Hoop Summit in Indianapolis. There, in front of professional
scouts and college coaches, he competed against the likes of future NBA players
Darius
Miles, Zach Randolph and Omar Cook. In a contest between the American and
European All-Stars, Parker recorded 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds
and two steals.[9] The
Frenchman's performance prompted a recruiting war between several colleges,
including UCLA and Georgia Tech who were on the verge of persuading
Parker to join them.[9]
However, Parker decided to forgo the NCAA and to remain in France; he spent the next
two years with Paris Basket Racing in the French League before entering the 2001
NBA Draft.