Georgia Tech or NU? No decision yet, says Parks

Seven-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Best Import and Hall of Famer Bobby Parks has been in and around the game for four decades. He has played in different parts of the globe — the United States as a varsity player for the Memphis Tigers and as a big leaguer suiting up for the NBA team Atlanta Hawks, the European League in France, and in Asia’s first professional league, the PBA where he became a legend.

And he knows which school offers a good basketball program. That's why it's not surprising for Bobby to seek to give the best opportunity to his son, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., one of the rising stars of Philippine basketball. "I want the best for my son," the elder Parks said in a telephone interview. In an exclusive interview with GMANews.TV, Parks said that several schools in the US have expressed interest in getting Ray's services. Only one of them has caught their interest — Georgia Tech. Parks' comments came on the heels of reports that his son has signed a letter-of-intent to join the Georgia Tech basketball team, an NCAA Division I school, which produced several notable NBA stars such as New Orleans point guard Jarrett Jack and former NBA players John Salley, Mark Price, Dennis Scott and Matt Harpring. "There were offers from Gonzaga, Louisville and Marquette, but Georgia Tech, an NCAA Division I school from the ACC, and which has produced several NBA players, has certainly drawn our interest," said Parks."“Yes, Ray signed a letter-of-intent, but that doesn't mean he is already committed to play for Georgia Tech. A letter-of-intent is like a verbal commitment that he is interested in playing there." Bobby Ray Jr.'s decision to sign the letter-of-intent with Georgia Tech was posted at the Yellow Jacket's official athletic website, and the information was disseminated through other social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter. The recent development fueled speculations that the younger Parks is headed to play for this elite US NCAA Division I school, and will thus leave the NU Bulldogs. A source privy to NU's basketball program clarified the main purpose of signing the letter-of-intent. "The main objective of signing a letter-of-intent is to give a player an option," said the source who requested anonymity. "What if the coach of Georgia Tech gets fired? The player may no longer be considered as he hasn't signed a letter-of-intent yet." NU athletic director Junel Baculi — in a text message — clarified the reports. "He's still with us," said Baculi. "He is attending his classes regularly, so it's not true that he's now committed to play with Georgia Tech. The letter-of-intent is not absolute." Bobby Ray Jr. is attending classes to comply with the residency requirement and become eligible to play in 2011's UAAP men's basketball tournament. "Right now, he is attending classes pending the approval of his eligibility by the UAAP board, which I’m confident he will pass," added Baculi, also the coach of Barako Bull Energy Drink in the PBA. But will Bobby Ray Jr. be eligible to play in the UAAP next year? "That's the big question," said the elder Parks, who works as the Bulldogs' sports coordinator. "Right now, I must admit that Bobby Ray Jr. is a little bit confused. That's understandable because he is a young player. Still, Ray is attending classes and undergoing what is required of him to be eligible to play in the UAAP." "At the end of the day, he will have to make a tough decision. He will be the one who will make the decision, not me. I’m just here to guide him and support him. I will always support his decision." - KY, JVP, GMANews.TV