By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The appointment of Tony Parker as the head coach of the French Under-17 national team marks a compelling new chapter. A decade after finishing his playing career with the senior national team of France, the four-time NBA champion has officially returned to the national team system, opening training camp in Lyon for the upcoming FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul.
This tournament represents a rare first for the Hall of Famer, who never actually competed in a World Cup as a player. “To put things in context, back then, the World Championship wasn’t the competition everyone wanted to play in,” Parker recalled in an interview with the French Federation of Basketball, FFBB. “Since there was EuroBasket every two years and the Olympic Games, it was tough to play every summer.”
Stepping back onto the court has clearly revitalized the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Finals 2007. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role on a scale from 1 to 10, Parker joyfully declared it a 20. “I’m so excited. Like the first day of school. I was so happy to put on this French national team jersey again,” he explained.
🎙“Dès que je suis arrivé sur le terrain, c’est venu naturellement.”
À la tête de l’Équipe de France U17, @tonyparker revient sur ses débuts de coach, son ambition et sa passion intacte pour les Bleus 🇫🇷🏀
Découvrez l’interview complète👇
— Fédération Française de BasketBall (@ffbasketball) June 1, 2026
This youth assignment serves as the opening act of a major coaching career. Beyond the national team, 44-year-old Parker is also projected to step onto the sidelines for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the 2026–27 editions of the EuroLeague and domestic competitions.
Despite his towering legacy as an executive and icon, he wants his current focus to remain entirely on the floor. When asked what his players should call him, his answer was direct: “Coach.”
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