Tony Parker says San Antonio is ‘perfect place’ for Victor Wembanyama

PARIS (AP) —Tony Parker surely knows what he’s talking about when it comes tothe San Antonio Spurs. And, no surprise, the four-time NBA championtold The Associated Press on Friday he sees a bright future forfellow Frenchman Victor Wembanyama on his former team.

Parker, whois now retired, played 17 seasons for the Spurs. He won NBA titleswith the team in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, so knows the franchiseinside out. He told the AP in a phone interview it will be the“perfect place″ for the 19-year-old French wonder,theNo. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

“I know hewanted to go to San Antonio, and so it feels like it was destiny,with the French connection we built over the years,” Parker said.“And he is going to keep the legacy going. It’s pretty cool.”

As expected,the Spurs opted for Wembanyama, who has been creating hugeexpectations in the French league. Listed at 7-foot-4, he dominatedin his final season with Metropolitans 92, leading all players inscoring, rebounding and blocked shots.

In spite ofhis huge frame, he can shoot 3-pointers with ease and his technicalskills are stunning.

“He isunique,” Parker said. “His set of skills is unique. You know, wenever saw a guy, a 7-5 (player), shooting like that, and having thedribbling skills that he has, and the way that he plays the game,it is just different. I can’t wait to see him play with theSpurs.”

Parker, themajority owner of French club Villeurbanne, has a good relationshipwith Wembanyama, who played a season for that team.

“So when theSpurs got the lottery pick, we talked, exchanged texts, and it wasthe same last night,” Parker said. “I’m very happy for him and Iwill definitely try to support him.”

Asked whatkind of advice he would give to Wembanyama for a quick adaptationto the Spurs and the NBA, Parker said the kid just needs to behimself.

“And he isalready like that,” Parker said. “He does not care about thepressure and expectation, and I think the Spurs is the perfectplace for him. He is in very good hands.”

Aftermatching a league record of 22 straight playoff appearances, SanAntonio has not made the postseason the last four seasons, thelongest drought in the franchise’s 50-year history. Parker believesthat Wembanyama’s arrival will help rebuild a competitive team.

“That’s agood first piece,” he said. “Now he is going to need some help, towin a championship in the NBA is the hardest thing your are goingto have to do. So with the Spurs, we’ve got a lot of work to do nowto try to bring pieces around him that are going to fit, for us tobe able to contend for a championship.”

A formermember of the French national team, Parker was the FIBA EuropePlayer of the year in 2013 and 2014 and the league’s top scorer in2011 and 2013.

Wembanyama’srise to the top will also benefit France, Parker said.

“It’s greatfor basketball, it’s great for French basketball,” Parker said.“Obviously, the future years look bright for us with the nationalteam.”