Tony Parker talks Spurs future, Zika in Brazil during visit to summer camp

Tony Parker says he will play for French team in Brazil despite Zika concerns

SAN ANTONIO – Tony Parker’s busy offseason continued on Thursday with a visit to the Spurs Coyote Basketball Camp at the University of the Incarnate Word.

Parker spent time with campers, answered questions, played games and signed autographs with the children in attendance.

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Parker told the crowd he had just returned from Paris where the basketball club he owns, ASVEL, had just won its first French Pro A league title since 2009.

He spoke to the media afterward and was asked about his plans for the rest of the summer and the upcoming Olympic Games in Brazil.

The French national team will compete in the Olympics qualifying tournament from July 4-10 and if they advance, Parker said he will report to Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 3.

In between, Parker’s wife, Axelle Francine, is expected to deliver their second child at the end of July.

Parker said this will be his last Olympic Games so a final opportunity to play with the French national team was something he did not want to pass up. Parker added that his wife agreed.

When asked about the Zika virus in Brazil, Parker said he was not concerned about Zika, but will travel without his family for the Olympic Games. 

Naturally, Parker was also asked about the future of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.

“Nope. I know it’s coming at the end of the month so we’ll know if both are coming back,” Parker said.

Parker was then asked about the Big Three and what it would mean if either Duncan or Ginobili would retire.

“I never really worry about it, we had such a great run, maybe the best run ever for a Big Three so we’ll see what happens,” Parker said.


About the Author:

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.