SAN ANTONIO — With fireworks, a packed crowd, his children with him, and fans cheering loudly, San Antonio Spurs icon Tony Parker's French National Team jersey was retired.
This is the first time in French basketball history that a player has his basketball jersey hanging from the rafters inside LDLC Arena.
Following the ceremony, Parker had a stirring message about his honor, thanking everyone and sharing his feelings about representing France.
“It’s a lot of emotions and a lot of love. It’s never easy when it’s the first time in history. Because we had Alain Gilles, Antoine Rigaudeau, Richard Dacoury… That’s the big French team family. When I arrived on the French team, it was the first time I had traveled in my life. I could eat for free, it was cool, it taught me about life. I really fell in love with this jersey. When we were European junior champions in 2000, we made a promise to each other, and I always had the feeling that if I didn’t win this gold medal with France, I would have felt like I had wasted my career. That’s why I came back every summer, to keep our promise,” Parker said.
Before the ceremony, Parker shared his thoughts on his milestone in a social media post.
"On the eve of my retirement with the French team, I wanted to say a few words to you. Won 4 nba titles with spurs proud moment But despite these successes, I always wanted to make French basketball shine.
Every summer, after NBA seasons, I would come back to play with the French team, proud to wear our colors. In 2013, we realized a dream by winning the first and only title of the French team, an unforgettable memory.
In 2019, I had the honor of having my jersey removed by the Spurs, and in 2023 I made my induction into the Hall of Fame, the Pantheon of Basketball. Tomorrow it will be my France team jersey to be retired.
Super excited for tomorrow and to share this moment with you all. Thank you for your unwavering support throughout my career."
His accomplishments with Team France are impressive.
Parker was MVP of EuroBasket 2013. In 2015, he became the all-time leading scorer in EuroBasket competition, a record that fellow finalist Paul Gasol broke two years later.
In addition, he was inducted into the Legion of Honor in 2007, the highest French order of merit, was named the FIBA Europe Player of the Year (2013, 2014), and won a few EuroBasket medals with Team France.
He also won gold with Team France at the 2013 EuroBasket.
This will mark the second time his jersey will be retired. The Spurs retired his No. 9 Spurs jersey in 2019 after he won four NBA titles, was a six-time NBA All-Star, made the All-NBA Second Team three times, and was named the 2007 NBA Finals MVP.
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