With a EuroBasket title in hand to go with his three NBA titles, San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker has made himself one of the best international players ever to play in the NBA hailing from France.
Since winning the EuroBasket crown, a debate has kicked up as to whether Parker one of, if not the best athlete from France.
Enter his fellow countryman and Team France teammate – Nicolas Batum – who says Parker is indeed one of the best athletes in the history of French sports.
Via French site Le Matin:
"After what he did for the sport in general, he is the ambassador for ten years now, he finally has the European title he deserved so much," he said. "He is one of the best athletes in the history of French sports," he said. "And the best French basketball player in history, and perhaps one of the best European basketball history, if not the best." "He's my mentor. He took me under his wing. And I'm happy for him," he added.
Hard to argue against Batum naming Parker the best in European basketball. With players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Drazen Petrovic and many other good European players to hit the NBA hardwood, Parker stands heads above them and he has the resume to prove it.
Three NBA titles, an NBA Finals MVP trophy (2007), five-time NBA All-Star, and a FIBA Eurobasket 2013 MVP definitely puts Parker in a class of his own.
