Tony Parker...

["Jaims" <jaims@info.com.ph>]

Tony Parker Draft Capsule

Tony Parker, 6-2, 177, France =============================

OVERVIEW: Parker averaged 14.7 points, 5.6 assists and 33.0 minutes per game
for the top-level Paris Basket Racing team. Had 168 assists and 66
turnovers, a better than 2.5-to-1 ratio. He was a member of the French
Junior National Team, which won the gold medal at the 2000 European Junior
Championships. He also played at the 2000 Nike Hoop Summit with the World
Selection and in the 2001 French League All-Star Game.

LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Picks 27-44. Nearly every team between these picks,
save for a select few who are comfortable with their point guard situation,
will seriously look at Parker.

RIVALED BY: Kenny Satterfield
COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Mike Bibby
COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: C.J. Bruton
ROLE PROJECTION: Reserve. Future spot starter.

POSITIVES: Parker is improving at a quick pace and has been known as one of
the best young players in Europe for quite some time. He's a scoring point
guard who also is capable of running a team and is as sound as they come.
Few guards from Europe have fared well in the NBA because, in most
circumstances, they lack the athleticism. That won't apply to Parker. He has
solid speed and reflexes and is reputed as a dunker. In terms of his play on
the perimeter, Parker is equally as adept. He has had the benefit of
spending his pre-NBA career shooting 3-pointers from the international
22-foot line and therefore won't have to make a four-foot adjustment in the
pros like many of his peers. Of course, Parker's shot isn't completely
reliable just yet, but considering he hasn't even hit the age of 20, he's
extremely impressive.

SHORTCOMINGS: Parker hasn't been bullied around by the big, physical point
guards of America. He's entering the league having to learn the toughest
position to adapt to and the NBA hasn't seen a successful European point
guard yet. Could such circumstances be why?
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "He's got a very good handle, good court vision, decent
size. He's shown improvement over the last two three years and people are
projecting that if he continues that, he can become a solid NBA point
guard." - New York Knicks director of scouting Tim O'Shea