By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Parker talked on the matter on “Basket-infos.com” and he explained his take: “I think you have to play the national team with the players who are from the country, who grew up there, all that.”
Already Evan Fournier and Edwin Jackson have said that they also don’t like the idea of Embiid adopting the French basketball nationality. And Parker supports them: “I agree with Evan (Fournier) and Edwin (Jackson). I agree with them. I think the national teams should come from the federations that work hard to get young people to play, and I find that it lacks a bit of authenticity when you do things like that. And it’s true that I’m not a big fan of seeing Slovenia or Croatia playing with Americans. I think you have to create a national team with the players who are products of a country, who grew up there, all that. I agree with them. And of course it’s kind of dream, but hey we already have a very, very good pivot, called Rudy Gobert, so here it is. We must not disrespect all the French, who work hard to play in France team. I played for 16 years in the French team, I gave my body to this country and I think it’s important not to forget that. FIBA has its rules, they make their choice, if they want to continue doing that, well they will continue to do that. But you ask me for my opinion and I think we should stay with the national teams as they are”.
However Parker has nothing personal against Embiid. On the contrary he admires him: “For me it’s just a matter of principle. Because, Joel Embiid is a good guy. I only heard good things about him. I spoke with Timothy ( Luwawu-Cabarrot, who plays with the Cameroonian Sixer), and he’s a great guy. He laughs, he speaks French, all that. It’s nothing against him. It’s just a matter of principle. He is a great player, he can become the best center in the NBA”.