For international NBA players, representing their home country at international games is a big honor. The San Antonio Spurs have a roster full of foreign-born players such as Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Tiago Splitter (Brazil), Patty Mills (Australia), and Marco Belinelli (Italy) who have represented their home country during the NBA offseason at various Olympic qualifiers.
With the 2016 Olympic Games on the horizon, these players, and more, will more than likely be at Rio fighting for a chance at Olympic gold, Spurs guard Tony Parker made it clear, he will be playing with Team France.
Via French site 76actu:
I'm going to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. I respect the decisions of everyone, everyone has their reasons. I love playing in the blue shirt. It's an honor.
As is stands right now, by the time the Rio Games kick off, Parker will be a free agent (contract expires after the 2014-15 season). Hopefully the Spurs will resign him before then and if so, the usual sentiment will come out of Spurs fans… they will prefer No. 9 to rest in the summer and not risk injury.
However, the Olympics do not come around every year and playing on this huge stage is something that no player will pass up. Even for NBA players who suit up for Team USA.
As for French basketball, Parker is proud at the rise of French players in the NBA such as San Antonio's 2013 draft pick, Livio Jean-Charles.
The French basketball in general is increasing. We are the most represented country in the NBA. French basketball is doing well.
Despite a long 2012-13 Spurs season, Parker will be playing for Team France this summer at Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia along with Diaw and Nando De Colo.
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