Anthony Parker is a famous professional basketball player who has played basketball in NBA, Euroleague, and international tournaments.
Parker was a basketball star from his high school days. Like most basketball players, he dreamt of playing in NBA.
His dream came true after he was drafted in the 1997 NBA draft. Though his dreamt came true, he was tagged as an NBA failure as he couldn’t do much due to his injuries. It seemed like the end of his basketball career, but it was just the beginning.
This article will take you on a beautiful journey of Anthony Parker from being an NBA failure to a successful basketball player.
In addition, we will also look more into his early life, net worth, and personal life. But, before that, let’s look at his quick facts.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Anthony Michael Parker |
| Name | Anthony Parker |
| Nick Name | Anthony |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1975 |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Birth Place | Naperville, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | 6 ft. 6 inches (1.98 m) |
| Weight | 221 lb (100 kg) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Father’s Name | Larry Parker |
| Mother’s Name | Sara Parker |
| Siblings | Candace Parker and Marcus Parker |
| High School | Naperville Central High School |
| Education | Graduate in liberal arts and sciences |
| University | Bradley University |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Tammy Parker |
| Marriage Year | 1999 |
| Children | Two: Julian and Alonso Parker |
| Profession | Former NBA Player |
| Position | Shooting guard/ Small forward |
| Leagues |
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| NBA Draft | 21st overall in the first round of the 1997 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets |
| Debut Year | 1997 |
| Retirement | 2012 |
| Playing Teams |
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| International Award |
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| Awards and achievements |
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| Net Worth | $12 million |
| Social Media | |
| Merch | Basketball Trading Card |
| Last Update | December, 2023 |
Anthony Parker | Early Life and Education
Anthony Michael Parker was born on June 19, 1975, in Naperville, Illinois. He was born the eldest child in the family.
His father, Larry Parker, was an insurance agent, while his mother, Sara Parker, worked for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.
In addition, his father played basketball for the University of Iowa, and his mother was a cheerleader.
Furthermore, Anthony’s youngest sister, Candace Parker, is one of the famous and successful players in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was the number one pick in the 2008 draft and has won the title twice.
Likewise, his youngest brother, Marcus Parker, also played basketball in his high school. But, in contrast to the famed basketball siblings, Marcus chose to become a doctor.
Along with his athletic accomplishments, Anthony also excelled in his studies. He studied chemistry and earned two Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. Scholarships.
It is an annual scholarship given to an African-American student who does outstanding work in chemistry.
However, he later changed his major to liberal arts and sciences in his final year.
Age, Height & Weight
Anthony Parker was born in 1975, which makes him 48 years old. People born in August are Gemini.
Furthermore, Anthony was born in Naperville, Illinois. He identifies himself as an American of African-American ethnicity.
Also, Parker is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) tall and weighs around 221 lb (100 kg).
Anthony Parker | Early Career
Parker began his basketball career at Naperville Central High School. After that, he attended Bradley University and played basketball there as well.
Subsequently, he established himself as a top player on the university basketball team, the Braves.
Anthony Parker | Professional Career
NBA Draft and Debut
Anthony Parker entered the 1997 NBA draft and was selected 21st overall by the New Jersey Nets. Nonetheless, he was dealt with the Philadelphia 76ers in a multi-player deal.
Unfortunately, Anthony couldn’t perform well due to the constant injuries. As a result, he saw a drastic drop in his playing time.
He was later dealt with the Orlando Magic before being released in January 2000. After that, no NBA teams wanted to sign him. This is to say, Anthony had failed in the NBA.
Career Revival in Euroleague
Parker’s repeated failures in the NBA compelled him to explore outside of the United States for a way to restart his basketball career.
In the 2000–01 season, he moved to Israel, where he was recruited by Israeli EuroLeague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Initially, Parker questioned his decision as there were frequent bombings in the city. But, later, he quickly adjusted.
Soon he became an essential player on the team. He captivated the audience with his skills to score, rebound, block shots, and dunk.
In his first season, Parker led Maccabi to the Israeli domestic title, the Israeli National Cup, and the FIBA SuproLeague Cup.
After that, he moved to Italy and joined Virtus Roma. He played in 27 Italian Serie A league games. Overall, Parker had a successful career in the Europe league.
Likewise, He received multiple awards for his performance, including the Israeli Basketball Super League MVP, the EuroLeague Final Four MVP, EuroLeague MVP, and first-team All-EuroLeague.
Comeback To NBA
In July 2006, Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo officially signed the famous athlete back to the NBA.
Parker quickly established Toronto’s main shooting guard and an NBA-respected three-point shooter.
Furthermore, his defensive and offensive flexibility were critical in the Raptors winning their first division championship.
But, Parker signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 13, 2009, after two successful seasons with the Raptors.
He later announced his retirement on June 27, 2012, ending his fifteen-year basketball career.
Nonetheless, he subsequently returned to the scene as an Orlando Magic scout. He became Lakeland Magic’s general manager in 2017.
In 2021, he was appointed as the deputy general manager for Orlando.
Anthony Parker | International Career
Anthony Parker played collegiate basketball for the junior United States men’s national basketball team. He played on the Under-22 team.
Furthermore, Parker’s team won the 1996 FIBA Americas Under-21 Championship gold medal. The team qualified for the 1997 FIBA Under-21 World Cup following the win.
In the World cup, Parker scored a game-high 19 points in the gold medal game versus Canada.
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Anthony Parker | Awards and Achievements
- Three times EuroLeague champion (2001, 2004, 2005)
- Two times EuroLeague MVP (2005, 2006)
- EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2004)
- EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer (2004)
- Two times All-EuroLeague First Team (2005, 2006)
- EuroLeague 2000–10 All-Decade Team (2010)
- 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors (2008)
- Five times Israeli Super League champion (2001, 2002, 2004–2006)
- Five times Israeli Cup winner (2001, 2002, 2004–2006)
- Israeli Super League MVP (2004)
- Three times Israeli Super League Quintet (2002, 2004, 2005)
- MVC Player of the Year (1996)
Anthony Parker | Wife and Children
The famous NBA star Anthony Parker is married to Tamy Parker. The couple married in 1999 and are blessed with two sons.
Besides their anniversary date, Anthony hasn’t revealed anything about their relationship. Thus, how the loving couple first met or formed a love attachment is unknown.
However, it is known that Anthony’s wife is incredibly supportive of his professional career and has supported him through difficult times.
Furthermore, the loving couple has two lovely sons: Julian and Alonso Parker. Their eldest son Alonso Parker was born after three years of their marriage in 2002.
His eldest son, Alonso Parker, was born in Israel in 2002, whereas Julian Parker, their youngest son, was born in January 2006.
His sons are now grown up and have a huge passion for basketball like their father.
Social Media Presence
Anthony Parker is active on social media, especially on Twitter. He has verified a Twitter account with thousands of followers.
Thus, you can follow him on his Twitter to get updates on his personal and professional life.
Anthony Parker | Net Worth and Salary
The net worth of Anthony Parker is estimated to be $12 million. Anthony has amassed a wealth of millions of dollars through his professional career while playing in and out of the United States.
Also, Anthony Parker played in the NBA for several clubs. During his time in the NBA, he accumulated a sizable fortune.
The player signed a rookie deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for $754,080. Parker later agreed to terms with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a six-year, $6 million contract.
On top of that, Parker’s expensive contract was a three-year, $12 million deal with the Toronto Raptors. Aside from the NBA, Anthony played for the Euroleague.
Furthermore, he was one of the league’s most successful athletes and has won several championships.
Though his earnings in Euroleague are not known, he must have been compensated well for his efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
What is the meaning behind the Jersey number 18 of Anthony Parker?
Anthony Parker was seen wearing jersey number 18 for both Toronto and Cleveland. In Judaism, the number 18 meant the symbol of life and good fortune.
Thus, he wanted to represent Israel and its culture in any way possible. So, he chose the jersey number with significant meaning in Israel.
What are the overall NBA statistics for Anthony Parker?
Anthony Parker played 494 games in his NBA career, in which he started 423 games. In addition, he averaged 3.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 2.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 9.1 points per game.
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