Tony Parker Retires from French National Team After Loss to USA Basketball Team at 2016 Rio Olympics: Commendations and Career with Spurs,
After playing for the France National Basketball Team for almost a decade, Tony Parker confirmed that he will finally retire his French jersey.
Lackluster Olympic performance
The news came following Spain's dominating win over France at the 2016 Rio Olympics basketball quarterfinals.
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After the joust with Spain that ended with a 92-67 scorecard, Parker said that he would be stepping down to allow other players to step in his shoes. Filling the gap left by Parker would be Nando De Colo, Thomas Huertel, and Antoine Diot.
The French team had a surprisingly hard time against their Spanish rivals after scraping toe-to-toe with the United States, losing to a measly three-point margin. The 34-year-old point guard skipped the game entirely as he was nursing an injury he obtained at the early onset of the tournament.
Despite the dismal loss during his swan song at the international court, Parker told the press that he is proud of what they have accomplished during his time on the team.
Coach commendations
French coach Vincent Collet said Parker was the best French player forever, owing largely to his performance the four medals that the team acquired in the last five years.
Aside from Parker's fundamental skills, Collet also lauded the leadership role he brings to the team during times of pressure and hustle on-court.
Commitment to Spurs and the NBA
Parker earlier promised San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Team President R.C. Buford that the Rio Olympics would be his final international stint with the French national team, due to the physical toll it had on him. He also said he will now prioritize on finishing his NBA on a high note.
When his Spurs teammate Tim Duncan retired from the league, Parker sought to step up for the team to fill the gaping hole left by Duncan in the roster.
He will now be focused on the Spurs as it was also the retirement of former teammate Tim Duncan that sparked his fire to step up for the team.
Parker will lead the Spurs next season with Manu Ginobili, who also announced his retirement from the Argentinian National Team after losing to USA at the Olympic quarterfinals.
Rivals turned teammates
However, good news awaits the Spurs community as Spanish National Team player Pau Gasol is set to suit-up for the team on the next NBA season.
Parker is delighted to have Gasol on-board as he said that they are really good friends, despite being rivals at the basketball scene for almost two decades. Fans are looking forward for Gasol to fill the void left by Duncan in the Spurs lineup.
