NBA athletes are some of the best basketball players in the world. Less than two percent of college basketball stars make it to the league. But there is a very small group of people who are even a level above the best NBA athletes. They do incredible things on the court and achieve many great things in the league. They are honored by the Naismith Memorial. The Fiery Francophile, Tony Parker recently opened up about being the very first Frenchman in the Basketball Hall Of Fame.

The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most successful modern franchises. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and T.P., alongside head coach Gregg Popovich, led this team to five championships in three different decades. Two of the most important members of the team are set to be honored today in Springfield, Massachusetts.

First Frenchman in the Hall of Fame, Spurs legend gets emotional

Tony Parker is a four-time champion with the San Antonio Spurs. He spent 18 years in the NBA mainly playing for San Antonio. He even won the finals MVP in the year 2007. He’s often considered one of the best point guards of his time. In the Hall Of Fame press conference, Parker said, “It feels surreal, to be honest with you.”

“I never thought somebody like me can experience something like that. It’s been unbelievable…Finally realizing everything we accomplished with the Spurs, and to share that with my family and friends,” the European said thankfully.

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It was reported that Parker is the first player of French descent to be in the Naismith memorial. It’s quite evident that the former finals MVP is excited to be part of the elite group. After all, only 436 players have been bestowed the honor over the last 64 years.

Fans will remember Tony Parker as one of the greatest Europeans to ever step on the court and undoubtedly the greatest point guard to come out of France.

Tony Parker celebrating with Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry is an Arsenal legend who won the FIFA World Cup with France in 1998.

The 45-year-old was at Tony Parker’s celebration bash recently. Parker celebrated the momentous occasion by throwing a ‘wild’ pool party for his friends and family.

Notably, the legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Not many know this but his Spurs coach was not always convinced of Parker’s caliber.

“He’s a weenie. He’s unaggressive. He doesn’t like contact, he’s 19, and I don’t want to see him,” Coach Pop initially said upon the drafting of the Frenchman. However, with his adaptability, work ethic and chemistry on the team, T.P. won over his coach and the league as a whole.

Parker and Pop will undoubtedly go down as one of the best player-coach duos in the NBA.

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