According to FIBA.com, Tony Parker has committed to playing for France through the Summer of 2012.
The San Antonio Spurs point guard met with Patrick Beesley, the head of the men’s basketball team, and sports manager Crawford Palmer before a recent game against Cleveland and signed a letter of engagement.
France will this summer attempt to win the Additional Qualifying Round for EuroBasket 2009 in Poland.
For Spurs fans, this can’t be great news, especially after losing Manu Ginobili for the season and playoffs due to injury.
Manu decided to play for Argentina for the Olympics, against the advice of Gregg Popovich and members of the Spurs front office. Manu had been suffering through an injury since last summer’s second round series against the Hornets, and he suffered another injury in the Olympics.
With Manu injured and not getting any younger, the last thing I want to see is Tony Parker putting his body through more punishment with international play the next three summers.
Now more than ever, this seems to be Tony’s team and we’ll look to him to lead the Spurs. But will he be there to lead them if he is recovering from international play after a full 82-game season and the playoffs.
