PARIS (France) - Tony Parker has seen it all as a player - winning at the youth level, claiming medals with the French national team; and helping his team win NBA championships. But the former superstar is thrilled about his up-coming debut as head coach at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026.
Parker was named France's head coach for the tournament, and the 44-year-old cannot wait to finally patrol the sidelines in Istanbul later this month. The French U17 team will kick-start their summer campaign with a friendly against Côte d'Ivoire in Lyon on June 13.
When asked on a scale of 1 to 10, how excited he was about the event from June 27 to July 5, Parker answered "20!".
I'm incredibly excited
"I'm incredibly excited. Like it's my first day of school," he told an interview on the French federation website. "I was so happy to put on the French National Team shirt again. And this is only the beginning. I haven't even coached a game yet or heard the national anthem. But I was thrilled. It had been 10 years since I last wore French National Team gear."
Parker was named the Most Valuable Player of the FIBA EuroBasket 2013, which France won for title with Les Bleus. Parker also picked up EuroBasket silver in 2011 and was third in 2005 and 2015. The point guard played in seven EuroBaskets as well as the Olympics in 2012 and 2016. And he retired from the national team after the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Parker, who also won four NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs, believes now was the right time for him to return to the game.
"The break I took was perfect. I played so many games. The desire gradually came back. I talked about it a lot with my father. And when I decided to take the plunge, I also spoke with Gregg Popovich, Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. I wanted to know how they had felt. Given my love story with the French National Team, it was logical to start here. I applied, and now I'm here," he said.
Parker said he feels very comfortable in his new role.
As soon as I stepped onto the court, it felt natural
"Of course, I had questions. I wanted to do it, I missed being on the court, and I felt I had a lot to share and teach. But at first, you don't know how you'll react," he said. "As soon as I stepped onto the court, it felt natural. I know I have many activities, but basketball will always be number one. It's my first love, and that will never change."
Parker knows that being away from the game for so long - he stepped away from the NBA in 2019 - means some players might not remember how great he once was. But he firmly believes the players will feel his passion and excitement for the game.
"They'll see that I'm here to build something together with them, to support them, help them improve, and share a great human experience," he said.
France took second place in the U17 World Cup in 2018 and then grabbed third place in 2022. And despite having a strong group in 2024, the team crashed out in the Round of 16 and ended up finishing ninth.
Just like two years ago, France will be facing undefeated seven-time reigning champions United States in the opening game. But Parker emphasized that the first game will not define the team’s success when it's said and done.
"That's not the competition itself, and we shouldn't obsess over that game," he said. "On the second day, we'll play Italy, the team that eliminated France in the (FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025) Quarter-Finals. We have to keep our eyes on the real objective."
And for Tony Parker, that is finding a balance between the joy of finally being back on the court and helping France return to the podium.
FIBA