Tony Parker Sr., father of legendary Spurs point guard, dies

SAN ANTONIO – Tony Parker Sr., the father of former Spurs and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame point guard Tony Parker, has died. Parker Sr. was 70 years old.

According to French media reports, the elder Parker was found dead at Tony Jr.’s home.

The younger Parker shared some personal thoughts about losing his father in a Tuesday afternoon Instagram post.

“He was my first role model, my first coach, my inspiration,” the former Spurs guard wrote in his Instagram post. “He was the one who passed on to me this all-consuming passion for basketball, this high standards, this determination to never give up. It was from him that I learned the value of hard work, mental strength, and above all, the love of the game.”

Tony Parker shared how his father was not only his inspiration on the court but an inspiration to help him be himself.

“Today, a whole part of me is leaving with him, Parker wrote. ”But his spirit, his strength, and everything he passed on to me will continue to live on through me, my brothers, and all those he inspired."

Parker Sr. starred for Loyola University in Chicago from 1973 to 1977 where he averaged 17.4 points per game. He is ranked 10th all-time in scoring in Ramblers history with 1,605 points.

After college, Parker Sr. embarked on his own professional basketball in Europe.

He later became father to the Spurs icon as well as his brothers TJ Parker and Pierre Parker. Both TJ and Pierre also played nationally for France’s under-20 basketball teams.

Pierre, like his father, played college ball at Loyola University in Chicago.

The French national team acknowledged the elder Parker’s passing in a social media post on Monday.

“Always a smiling face, familiar with French basketball and the number one supporter of the French team, Tony Parker Senior has left us!” the team posted to X. “The FFBB (French Federation of Basketball) extends its most sincere condolences to Tony Parker, his brothers TJ and Pierre and their entire family.”

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