Particle.news
Download on the App Store
4 ARTICLES
·
4w ago

Tony Parker Launches Coaching Pursuit, Targets NBA

He is enrolling in France's DES coaching program to prepare for future opportunities.

Image
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, right, hugs his point guard Tony Parker during practice Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in East Rutherford, N.J. 
Parker added that he's still got a long way to go before officially stepping into a coaching role, both in terms of the French national team and the NBA.
"I've always dreamed big," Parker said.

Overview

  • Parker told L'Equipe his long-term goal is to become an NBA head coach and he is now actively pursuing the path.
  • He said he will take France's Diplome d’Entraineur Sportif this year and hopes to pass the exam in May before starting a coaching career.
  • Parker credited a conversation with Gregg Popovich and multi-day observation stints with the Spurs in January through March for shaping his decision.
  • He remains president and manager of French club ASVEL and said he is keeping options open, including the NBA and potentially the French national team in the very long term.
  • He noted encouragement from Zinédine Zidane and Thierry Henry to pursue formal training and acknowledged he still must earn opportunities and prove himself.