ISTANBUL (Türkiye) - Tony Parker accomplished so much as a player - winning the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 with France as well as capturing four NBA rings with the San Antonio Spurs. But France's former superstar point guard started the next journey in his life. He appeared in his first game as head coach at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026.
All of Parker's experience as a player could not keep France from losing in the tournament opener against United States in a 115-84 defeat to start Group A play.
"It's good to start like this. During the exhibition games, we won pretty comfortably. Today showed us what the very, very highest level looks like. It was a good test, and we have a lot to work on. We can't lose sight of our objective. The big game is tomorrow," said Parker, referring to the Day 2 matchup with Italy.
"We can play much better. Nineteen turnovers are too many, and we gave up too many offensive rebounds. It's hard to win when the other team grabs 22 offensive boards. The good news is that we still have a lot of room for improvement."
He added: "Personally, I felt great, but I would have much rather won."
Besides being his coaching debut, the game had special meaning because it was against the United States - the home country of his father, who recently passed away.
"It meant a lot. I know he's watching. It was a great moment for me during the national anthem," he said.
Parker added that it was the same feeling of hearing La Marseillaise as a coach as it was a player.
"It's an honor to play for my country, to coach for my country. It's an amazing feeling."
The 44-year-old, who will be taking the head coaching reins at ASVEL Villeurbanne for this season, said he really didn't think too much about how the experience compared to what he imagined since being named.
"Once you're in the game you are focused on the game, focused on the strategy, focused on your team. So I will think about those thoughts later," he said.
Parker's players have definitely reveled in the opportunity to be coached by such a legendary figure in France and world basketball.
"It's really particular because I used to watch him on TV or media, and having him as a coach is really exceptional as a basketball player. I think it is a real help because he used to play at the best level in the world so he is helping us a lot," France star forward prospect Nathan Soliman said of his coach. "He's a great coach. He understands players, what they need, what they have to do on the court. And that is really helpful."
France's point guard Aaron Towo-Nansi said this is a great opportunity for him to learn from one of the country's best playmakers in history.
"For me, he is a legend in French, is the best legend. And he gives us a lot of experience. He understands when we are tired, when we need some rest. He gives a lot of advice, good advice for when I talk with a ref or when I talk with my teammate because he was a leader too and a point guard like me," Towo-Nansi said.
The young French playmaker said Parker also has given tips about maybe adding his famous floater to his game.
"He tells me that the floater is great stuff to have in my bag and I am working on that now."
Forward Messi Yangala was excited from the very beginning when the federation announced Parker would be coaching the U17 team this summer.
"I was surprised at first, but I was happy because he's a legend of France and of basketball. So it's incredible to have a coach like this. His experience has helped us a lot and this is good," Yangala said.
"He gives a lot of advice for on the court and for life. For example, if the other team is trash talking, we don't have to be impacted by that. We have to stay in our game, keep our head cool and play our game."
"It's incredible to have a coach like this.
Backup point guard Amadou Fall added: "I want to be like him, I want to get better than him. I saw him when I was little and it was amazing to see him on TV, but to see him now on real life and to be coached by him, it pushes me to be better than him and to achieve my dreams."
Towo-Nansi said he and his teammates should really value the opportunity they have.
"This is the first case for him with a young team, and in the future I don't think he will stay with the young guys. Maybe we are the only team who knows Tony Parker at the young level. I got a chance and I just need to take the experience and improve and learn," Towo-Nansi said.
Parker helped inspire a nation as a player and now starting in Istanbul he will be working to do that as a coach.
FIBA