History of Tony Parker in Timeline
Tony Parker is a French-American former basketball player best known for his time with the San Antonio Spurs. Drafted in 2001, he became their starting point guard and a key player in their four NBA championships. Parker also briefly played for ASVEL Basket in France, a team he now owns. He retired with impressive NBA playoff records, ranking ninth in scoring and fifth in assists.
1956: Tony Parker's Grandmother Wins Dutch National Tennis Championship
Tony Parker's maternal grandmother, Jetty Baars-Wienese, won the Dutch national tennis championship in 1956.
1997: Parker's Junior National Team Journey Begins
Tony Parker's journey with France's Junior National Teams began in 1997 at the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, marking the start of his international basketball career.
1998: Parker Competes in FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
Tony Parker continued his international basketball journey in 1998, representing France at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.
1999: Tony Parker Turns Professional, Signs with Paris Basket Racing
Tony Parker turned professional in 1999 and signed with Paris Basket Racing.
2000: First Round Playoff Exit Since 2000
In 2000, the San Antonio Spurs experienced their first first-round playoff exit since 2000.
2000: Tony Parker Impresses at the Nike Hoop Summit
Tony Parker was invited to the Nike Hoop Summit in Indianapolis in 2000. His performance in a contest between American and European All-Stars garnered attention from several colleges.
2000: Parker Earns MVP at FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
Tony Parker's exceptional skills were recognized when he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2000 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, where he led France to a gold medal victory.
November 2001: Tony Parker Becomes the Third French Player in the NBA
On November 30, 2001, Tony Parker became the third French player to play in an NBA game when he played against the Los Angeles Clippers.
2001: Tony Parker's Second Chance at Spurs Camp
After a shaky start, Tony Parker got a second chance to impress at the San Antonio Spurs' summer camp in 2001. He played better against scout Lance Blanks and secured his place in the draft.
2001: Tony Parker Enters the NBA Draft
After playing another year with Paris Basket Racing in the French League, Tony Parker entered the 2001 NBA draft.
2001: Parker's Playoff Streak Begins
Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Playoffs second-round series against the Houston Rockets marked the San Antonio Spurs' first postseason game without Tony Parker since 2001, ending Parker's NBA record of 221 consecutive playoff appearances.
2001: Tony Parker Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs
Tony Parker was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the 28th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft.
2001: Parker Debuts for the French Senior National Team
Tony Parker's international career reached a new level in 2001 when he debuted for the French senior national team at the FIBA EuroBasket.
April 2002: First Spurs Player to Receive Honor Since Tim Duncan
Tony Parker's recognition as Western Conference Player of the Month marked the first time a Spurs player had received the honor since Tim Duncan in April 2002.
2002: Parker Showcases Skills at FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
In 2002, Tony Parker demonstrated his basketball prowess at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star.
2002: Tony Parker's Sophomore Season
Tony Parker played in all 82 regular season games as the San Antonio Spurs' starting point guard in the 2002-2003 season.
2003: Tony Parker Wins his First NBA Championship, Participates in All-Star Weekend
In 2003, The Spurs won the NBA Championship against the New Jersey Nets, earning Tony Parker his first NBA Championship ring. Parker also participated in the Rookie Challenge and the inaugural Skills Challenge during the 2003 NBA All-Star Weekend.
2003: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
Tony Parker continued to represent France in the FIBA EuroBasket in 2003, showcasing his commitment to international competition.
2003: Tony Parker Wins his First NBA Championship
Tony Parker won his first NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003.
2003: Parker Becomes Captain of the French National Team
Tony Parker's leadership qualities were recognized in 2003 when he was appointed captain of the French national basketball team.
November 2004: Meeting Eva Longoria
Tony Parker met actress Eva Longoria for the first time in November 2004.
2004: Spurs Fail to Secure Back-to-Back Championship, Parker's Future Uncertain
Despite Tony Parker telling Coach Popovich that he wanted to be San Antonio's starting point guard, doubts remained about his future with the team. The Spurs were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semi-finals of the 2004 NBA Playoffs, denying them back-to-back titles.
August 2005: Confirming the Relationship
In August 2005, Eva Longoria confirmed that she and Tony Parker were officially dating.
2005: Parker Excels in Points in the Paint
Despite his height, Tony Parker led the NBA in "points in the paint" for a significant part of the 2005-2006 season, showcasing his ability to score effectively near the basket.
2005: Parker's Shooting Improvement
During the 2005 offseason, Tony Parker dedicated himself to improving his shooting under the guidance of San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and shooting coach Chip Engelland.
2005: Parker and the Spurs Win the NBA Championship
The San Antonio Spurs won their third-ever NBA championship by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, in the 2005 NBA finals.
2005: Television Appearance
Tony Parker appeared in the French TV series "En aparté" in 2005.
2005: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
Tony Parker once again participated in the FIBA EuroBasket in 2005, highlighting his dedication to representing France on the international stage.
2005: Tony Parker Wins his Second NBA Championship
Tony Parker won his second NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005.
November 2006: Engagement Announcement
Tony Parker and Eva Longoria announced their engagement in November 2006.
2006: Starting Point Guard for the Spurs
In 2006, Tony Parker became the starting point guard for the San Antonio Spurs, leading them to the 2007 NBA playoffs and a second-place finish in the Southwest Division.
2006: Spurs Eliminated in the Second Round of Playoffs
The San Antonio Spurs, despite being the top-seeded team, were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks.
2006: Parker's Shooting Transformation
Tony Parker's hard work during the 2005 offseason paid off, as his shooting accuracy improved significantly by the 2006-2007 NBA season.
2006: Parker Misses FIBA World Championship Due to Injury
Tony Parker's participation in the 2006 FIBA World Championship was cut short due to a finger injury sustained during a warm-up game.
February 2007: Selected for 2007 NBA All-Star Game
In February 2007, Tony Parker was selected to play in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game as a reserve guard after delivering consistent performances in the first half of the 2006-2007 season.
June 2007: Signing Prenuptial Agreement
Tony Parker and Eva Longoria signed a prenuptial agreement in June 2007, a month before their wedding.
July 2007: Wedding Celebrations
Tony Parker and Eva Longoria were married in July 2007 in a civil ceremony followed by a full Catholic wedding ceremony in Paris.
2007: Consistent Performance in 2007-2008 Season
During the 2007-2008 NBA season, Tony Parker maintained similar performance levels to the previous two seasons in terms of points and rebounds, and he even slightly improved his assists per game average.
2007: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
In 2007, Tony Parker continued his streak of representing France in the FIBA EuroBasket, showcasing his enduring commitment to international basketball.
2007: Parker Recognized for his Speed
In a 2007 poll conducted among NBA players, Tony Parker was recognized as one of the fastest players in the league, highlighting his exceptional quickness and agility on the court.
2007: Tony Parker Named NBA Finals MVP
Tony Parker was named the MVP of the 2007 NBA Finals.
2007: Tony Parker Wins his Third NBA Championship and Finals MVP
Tony Parker won his third NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs and was named the Finals MVP in 2007.
2008: Career-High Score and All-Star Selection
In the 2008-2009 NBA season, Tony Parker achieved a career-high score of 55 points, leading the Spurs to their first victory of the season. He was also named as a reserve for the 2009 All-Star game after averaging a career-high in points per game.
2008: Outstanding Performance in the First Round of Playoffs
In the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs, Tony Parker had an exceptional series, averaging close to 30 points and 7 assists per game, leading the Spurs to victory over the Phoenix Suns.
2008: Co-Directing "9 - Un chiffre, un homme"
Tony Parker co-directed and produced the biographical documentary film "9 - Un chiffre, un homme" (9 - a number, a man) in 2008, featuring interviews with prominent figures in sports and music.
2008: Acting Debut in "Asterix at the Olympic Games"
Tony Parker made his acting debut in the French film "Asterix at the Olympic Games" in 2008.
2008: Friendship with Thierry Henry and Euro 2008 Attendance
Tony Parker's friendship with footballer Thierry Henry was well-known, with the two often seen together. Parker and his wife at the time, Eva Longoria, attended a Euro 2008 match.
May 2009: Named to All-NBA Third Team
On May 13, 2009, Tony Parker was named to the All-NBA Third Team.
June 2009: Amending Prenuptial Agreement
Tony Parker and Eva Longoria amended their prenuptial agreement in June 2009, two years after their marriage.
2009: Hand Injury and Playoff Run
In the 2009-2010 season, Tony Parker suffered a hand injury that caused him to miss 26 games. Despite this setback, the Spurs made it to the playoffs as the seventh seed. They won their first-round series against Dallas but were defeated by Phoenix in the following round.
2009: Parker Experiences Injuries During NBA Season
Tony Parker faced injury challenges during the 2009-2010 NBA season, prompting him to prioritize his recovery and miss the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
2009: Parker Invests in ASVEL Basketball Club
Tony Parker's foray into basketball ownership began in 2009 when he acquired a 20 percent stake in the French basketball club ASVEL, based in Lyon.
2009: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
Tony Parker's participation in the 2009 FIBA EuroBasket underscored his sustained dedication to representing France in international basketball.
November 2010: Filing for Divorce
Eva Longoria filed for divorce from Tony Parker in November 2010, citing irreconcilable differences.
2010: Strong Start to the Season
The San Antonio Spurs started the 2010-2011 season strong, achieving a 12-game winning streak and one of the top ten best starts in NBA history.
2010: Parker Misses FIBA World Championship for Recovery
Tony Parker made the decision to sit out the 2010 FIBA World Championship to prioritize his recovery from injuries, aiming for a stronger return in future tournaments.
January 2011: Finalizing Divorce
Tony Parker and Eva Longoria's divorce was finalized in January 2011.
2011: Tony Parker Plays for ASVEL Basket During NBA Lockout
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Tony Parker played for ASVEL Basket in France.
2011: Playing for ASVEL During NBA Lockout
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Tony Parker signed with ASVEL, a French basketball team in which he holds a stake. He played for a minimal salary, stating that he was "playing nearly for free." Additionally, he personally covered his insurance, which amounted to $250,000 for three months.
2011: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
In 2011, Tony Parker once again donned the French jersey for the FIBA EuroBasket, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to international competition.
2011: Best Record in the West for Second Straight Season
In the 2011-2012 NBA season, Tony Parker contributed to the San Antonio Spurs achieving the best record in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season. The team also tied with the Chicago Bulls for the best overall record in the league.
2011: First Seed in the West and First Round Upset
The San Antonio Spurs finished the 2010-2011 regular season as the first seed in the Western Conference and second overall in the league. Despite their impressive 61-21 record, they faced an upset in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.
2011: Appearance in "On n'est pas couché"
Tony Parker appeared on the French talk show "On n'est pas couché" in 2011.
2011: New Relationship
Tony Parker began dating French journalist Axelle Francine in 2011.
February 2012: Spurs' All-Time Assist Leader
On February 4, 2012, Tony Parker became the San Antonio Spurs' all-time assist leader, surpassing Avery Johnson. He achieved this milestone while scoring 42 points in a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
June 2012: Nightclub Injury
Tony Parker was injured in June 2012 at a New York City nightclub during an altercation between Chris Brown and Drake, leading him to file a lawsuit against the club.
July 2012: Cleared for Olympics
Despite his eye injury sustained in June 2012, Tony Parker was cleared to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics in July 2012.
December 2012: First Career Triple-Double
On December 10, 2012, Tony Parker achieved his first career triple-double in a game against the Houston Rockets. He recorded 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.
2012: Nightclub Venture
Tony Parker and his brothers opened a nightclub called Nueve Lounge in San Antonio in 2012, but it closed within a year.
2012: Parker Represents France at the London Olympics
Tony Parker continued his international career by representing France at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
2012: Involvement in Paris Olympic Bid
Tony Parker was involved in the Paris bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He expressed disappointment when London won the bid.
January 2013: Western Conference Player of the Month
Tony Parker was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for January 2013, during which he led the Spurs to a 12-3 record, the best in the NBA at the time.
May 2013: Career-High Assists in Conference Finals
On May 21, 2013, during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Parker recorded a career-high 18 assists, along with 15 points, contributing to the Spurs' victory.
June 2013: Engagement Announcement
Tony Parker and Axelle Francine announced their engagement in June 2013.
2013: Clutch Shot in NBA Finals Game 1
In Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Tony Parker made a crucial jump shot with 5.2 seconds left on the clock, securing a 92-88 victory for the San Antonio Spurs.
2013: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
Tony Parker continued to be a stalwart presence for the French national team in 2013, representing his country at the FIBA EuroBasket.
2013: Tony Parker Leads France to EuroBasket Victory and Wins MVP
Tony Parker led the French national team to victory in the EuroBasket tournament in 2013 and was named the tournament's MVP. He also finished as the tournament's top scorer.
2013: France Wins EuroBasket Championship
Tony Parker played a pivotal role in France's triumph at the 2013 FIBA EuroBasket tournament, leading the team to a gold medal victory.
April 2014: Birth of First Son
Tony Parker and Axelle Francine welcomed their first son in April 2014.
May 2014: Most Playoff Wins by a Trio
In May 2014, Tony Parker, Manu Ginóbili, and Tim Duncan achieved the record for the most playoff wins by a trio in NBA history.
August 2014: Contract Extension with the Spurs
On August 1, 2014, Tony Parker signed a three-year contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs worth $43.3 million.
August 2014: Marriage to Axelle Francine
Tony Parker and Axelle Francine got married in August 2014.
2014: Tony Parker Wins his Fourth NBA Championship
Tony Parker won his fourth NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
2014: Parker Becomes Majority Shareholder of ASVEL
Tony Parker's influence on ASVEL grew in 2014 when he became the club's majority shareholder, solidifying his commitment to the team's future and French basketball.
September 2015: Parker Establishes Basketball Academy in Lyon
Tony Parker's dedication to developing basketball talent was evident when he launched his own academy in Lyon in September 2015, providing aspiring players with a platform to hone their skills.
2015: Parker Becomes EuroBasket's All-Time Leading Scorer
During EuroBasket 2015, Tony Parker etched his name in the record books by surpassing Nikos Galis to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer, a testament to his exceptional scoring ability. This record was later broken by Pau Gasol.
2015: Parker and the Spurs Achieve Franchise-Best 67 Wins
During the 2015-2016 NBA season, Tony Parker contributed to the San Antonio Spurs' historic achievement of winning a franchise-best 67 games.
2015: Parker's Continued Participation in FIBA EuroBasket
In 2015, Tony Parker once again showcased his loyalty to France by participating in the FIBA EuroBasket, demonstrating his enduring passion for international basketball.
July 2016: Parker Announces Plans for New ASVEL Arena
In July 2016, Tony Parker and his business partners unveiled ambitious plans to construct a state-of-the-art arena in Villeurbanne, intended to serve as ASVEL's new home court.
July 2016: Parker Announces Intention to Retire from International Competition
In July 2016, during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Philippines, Tony Parker shared his decision to retire from international basketball after the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, marking the end of an era for the French national team.
July 2016: Birth of Second Son
Tony Parker and Axelle Francine's second son was born in July 2016.
2016: Spurs' Playoff Run Ends in Second Round
In the 2016 NBA Playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs, led by Tony Parker, swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round but were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round.
2016: Parker Assumes Chairmanship of Lyon Basket Féminine
Tony Parker took on the role of chairman of Lyon Basket Féminine, now known as ASVEL Féminin, starting at the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
2016: Tim Duncan Retires from the NBA
Tony Parker's longtime teammate, Tim Duncan, retired from the NBA in 2016 after a legendary career with the San Antonio Spurs.
March 2017: Parker Becomes Majority Shareholder of Lyon Basket Féminine
Tony Parker's influence in basketball extended to the women's game in March 2017 when he acquired a majority stake in Lyon Basket Féminine.
November 2017: Parker's Final Season with the Spurs
In his final season with the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker played 55 games, averaging a career-low 7.7 points per game.
November 2017: Parker Returns from Injury
On November 27, 2017, Tony Parker returned to the court after recovering from a torn quadriceps tendon, contributing to the San Antonio Spurs' win against the Dallas Mavericks.
2017: Spurs Achieve Back-to-Back 60-Win Seasons
The San Antonio Spurs, with Tony Parker, achieved back-to-back 60-win seasons for the first time in franchise history during the 2016-2017 NBA season, marking a significant milestone.
2017: Parker Suffers Season-Ending Injury in Playoffs
Tony Parker suffered a ruptured left quadriceps tendon during the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets, ending his season prematurely.
July 2018: Parker Signs with the Charlotte Hornets
Tony Parker signed a two-year contract with the Charlotte Hornets in July 2018, marking a new chapter in his NBA career.
October 2018: Parker Debuts for the Hornets
Tony Parker made his debut for the Charlotte Hornets on October 17, 2018, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, contributing off the bench.
June 2019: Parker Announces Retirement from the NBA
On June 10, 2019, Tony Parker officially announced his retirement from the NBA, concluding an illustrious career.
June 2019: Joining NorthRock Partners
Tony Parker was hired by NorthRock Partners in June 2019 to lead its sports, artists, and entertainment division.
November 2019: Spurs Retire Parker's Number 9 Jersey
On November 11, 2019, the San Antonio Spurs honored Tony Parker by retiring his No. 9 jersey, solidifying his legacy as a Spurs legend.
December 2019: Investment in OL Reign
Tony Parker bought a 3% stake in the OL Reign, a National Women's Soccer League team, in December 2019, as part of a larger transaction involving OL Groupe.
August 2020: Announcing Separation
Tony Parker and Axelle Francine announced their separation in August 2020.
2020: Cameo in "Call My Agent"
Tony Parker made a cameo appearance in the Netflix series "Call My Agent" in 2020.
2021: Netflix Documentary Release
The Netflix documentary "Tony Parker: The Final Shot," directed by Florent Bodin, was released in 2021, focusing on Tony Parker's life and career.
August 2023: Tony Parker Inducted into the Hall of Fame
Tony Parker was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in August 2023.
