‘Hungry’ Parks relentlessly pursuing NBA ambition

Photo from sports agent Charlie Dy’s Instagram post.

AS THE first Philippine-born player to get a crack this close at the NBA, Bobby Ray Parks knows it’s still a tough climb ahead as he sees limited minutes with the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League.

“For me, I’m not going to be satisfied unless I get that contract, unless I get signed by an NBA team,” Parks said during a conference call with Manila media yesterday.

“I’m still hungry. It’s (Summer League) a stepping stone, a process to get into the NBA. You can’t just get in that easily. I’m no superstar who’s a lottery pick.”

Although the 22-year-old Parks isn’t used to the role of a bench warmer, he doesn’t mind and makes the most out of “every second” he takes to the floor.

“Just to wear the jersey is a blessing and every second on the court is a big accomplishment,” said Parks, the son of the late Bobby Parks, a former seven-time PBA Best Import, and Filipino Marifer Barbosa.

Parks has been playing sparingly in the Las Vegas tournament, which features mostly rookies and unsigned free agents vying to get signed to a regular NBA season contract.

“In the Philippines I play for 40 minutes,” said Parks, a two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player with National University.

“Here, the coach doesn’t use me that much. But I’m at the pinnacle [of basketball]. This is the NBA, the top league in the world. It’s really humbling and it’s truly a blessing, so I’m trying to adjust my mindset—to just give all I’ve got with the little playing time that’s being given to me.”

Parks saw action for less than three minutes in his debut against the New Orleans Pelicans and played just over seven minutes versus the Portland Trail Blazers where he scored a point and grabbed one rebound.

Parks admits not having the time to think of anything else, including the PBA Draft here in August.

“I’m not ruling out anything, I always keep my options open,” said Parks. “My whole mindset has to be here.”