Bobby Parks
Bobby Ray Parks Sr. (November 26, 1961 – March 30, 2013) was an American professional basketball player best known for his dominant tenure as an import in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), where he earned a record seven Best Import awards and became the first import inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame.[1][2] Born in Grand Junction, Tennessee, Parks stood at 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and played primarily as a guard, showcasing exceptional scoring ability throughout his career.[3] After a standout college career at Memphis State University, where he averaged double figures in scoring during his senior year and helped the team reach the NCAA Sweet 16, Parks was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round (58th overall) of the 1984 NBA draft but never appeared in an NBA game.[3][4] Parks debuted in the PBA in 1987 with San Miguel Beer, quickly establishing himself as a prolific scorer and key contributor to championship teams, including stints with the Shell Turbo Chargers alongside Filipino stars Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc.[1] His international career extended beyond the Philippines to leagues in Indonesia and France, spanning from 1984 to 1999, during which he averaged over 40 points in some PBA seasons, cementing his legacy as one of the league's most celebrated foreign players.[1] In recognition of his impact, the PBA renamed its Best Import award in his honor following his death from laryngeal cancer at age 51.[2] Later in life, Parks served as a coach for the San Miguel Beermen in the ASEAN Basketball League and as an assistant athletic director at National University in the Philippines, where he supported his son, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., a prominent Filipino-American basketball player.[1]Early life and education
Childhood and family background
Bobby Ray Parks Sr. was born on November 26, 1961, in Grand Junction, a small rural town in Hardeman County, Tennessee.[3] This community, located in the southwestern part of the state near the Mississippi border, had a population of around 430 during Parks' early years.[5] Grand Junction featured a historically significant African American community, tracing its roots to post-emancipation settlements and contraband camps from the Civil War era, which shaped the town's cultural and social fabric.[6] As a local resident, Parks attended Grand Junction Elementary School, where he developed early connections to his hometown that would later be recognized when the school's gymnasium was named in his honor in 1984.[6] Details on Parks' immediate family, including his parents' occupations and any siblings, remain sparsely documented in public records, reflecting the modest profile of many families in small-town Tennessee at the time. His American heritage was rooted in this rural Southern environment, fostering a foundation of community ties before his pursuits in sports took hold.High school basketball career
Bobby Parks attended Middleton High School in Middleton, Tennessee, where he played varsity basketball for four years, graduating in 1980. Emerging from the small rural community of Grand Junction, Tennessee, Parks quickly established himself as a key contributor on the team, honing his skills as a 6-foot-5 forward with a focus on perimeter shooting, rebounding, and tenacious defense that allowed him to guard multiple positions effectively.[4][3] During his senior season in 1979–80, Parks led the Middleton Tigers to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class A state championship, compiling an impressive 24–5 record. His pivotal role in the tournament earned him the Most Valuable Player award, highlighting his ability to deliver in high-stakes games with clutch scoring and all-around play.[7][8] Parks' standout performances, particularly in the state tournament, garnered significant attention from college recruiters across the region, who recognized his versatility and potential as a multi-faceted forward capable of impacting both ends of the court. This exposure during key tournaments marked a turning point in his development, solidifying his reputation as one of Tennessee's top high school prospects.[4][8]College career at Memphis State
Bobby Parks enrolled at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) in the fall of 1980 and played as a forward for the Tigers men's basketball team from 1980 to 1984 under head coach Dana Kirk.[9] Over his four-year tenure, Parks contributed to a team that achieved an 86–34 overall record, including strong performances in the Metro Conference.[10] The Tigers secured two Metro Conference regular-season championships—in 1981–82 outright and in 1983–84 as co-champions with Louisville—and won the 1981–82 conference tournament, which earned them automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons (1982, 1983, and 1984), though all records and appearances from this era were later vacated by the NCAA due to institutional violations.[11][12] In the 1982 NCAA Tournament, as the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, Memphis State advanced to the second round with a first-round victory before falling in the regional semifinal.[13] The team met similar fates in 1983 (No. 4 seed, second-round loss) and 1984 (No. 6 seed, second-round loss), highlighting the program's rise to national contention during Parks' time.[14][15] Parks evolved from a solid freshman contributor to a senior leader, steadily increasing his production and role on the court. As a freshman in 1980–81, he averaged 8.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while playing 27.8 minutes across 27 games, helping the team to a 13–14 overall record and a 5–7 conference mark despite a rebuilding year.[9] His sophomore season in 1981–82 marked a breakout, with averages of 11.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes over 29 games, aligning with the Tigers' 24–5 record and conference dominance.[9][13] Parks peaked as a junior in 1982–83, leading the Metro Conference in true shooting percentage (.637) while averaging 15.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in a team-high 36.3 minutes per game during 31 contests; that year, he earned honorable mention All-America honors from The Sporting News after scoring 488 points total and aiding the 23–8 Tigers' NCAA bid.[9][4] As a senior in 1983–84, Parks maintained double-figure scoring at 10.6 points per game alongside 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists, though limited to 20 games and 31.2 minutes due to a knee injury, contributing to the co-champion 26–7 team's postseason run.[9][4][16] Across his career, Parks amassed 1,266 points (ranking 15th in program history at the time of his induction into the M Club Hall of Fame), 596 rebounds, and 227 assists in 107 games, averaging 11.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while logging 3,459 minutes.[9][4] His development reflected a growing versatility as a forward, transitioning from a supporting role in his early years—bolstered by his high school foundation—to a key scorer and facilitator by his junior and senior seasons, integral to the Tigers' competitive edge in a era of rising program prominence.[9]| Season | Class | Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | Team Record (Overall/Conf.) | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–81 | FR | 27 | 27.8 | 8.7 | 4.5 | 1.4 | 13–14 / 5–7 | None |
| 1981–82 | SO | 29 | 33.1 | 11.4 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 24–5* / 10–2 | NCAA Second Round* |
| 1982–83 | JR | 31 | 36.3 | 15.7 | 6.9 | 2.6 | 23–8* / 6–6 | NCAA Second Round* |
| 1983–84 | SR | 20 | 31.2 | 10.6 | 5.0 | 2.4 | 26–7* / 11–3 | NCAA Second Round* |
Professional playing career
NBA draft and early attempts
Parks was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round (11th pick, 58th overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft, held on June 19 in New York City.[17] His selection was based on his standout college performance at Memphis State, where he averaged 10.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game as a senior forward.[9] Following the draft, Parks signed a contract with the Hawks on September 1, 1984, and joined the team for training camp and preseason play, wearing his familiar No. 22 jersey.[18] He competed alongside established players such as Doc Rivers, Eddie Johnson, and Kevin Willis during the 1984-85 preseason, showcasing his scoring ability in exhibition games.[19] Despite a strong showing that positioned him as a contender for a roster spot, Parks was waived by head coach Mike Fratello on October 25, 1984, as the final cut before the regular season.[18][20] The 1984 NBA Draft featured 10 rounds and 228 selections across 24 teams, with only 58 draftees ultimately playing in the league, highlighting the slim odds for mid-round picks like Parks amid intense competition for limited roster spots.[17] After his release from the Hawks, Parks briefly explored opportunities as a free agent and considered assignments in the NBA's developmental minor leagues to continue his professional aspirations.[21]Continental Basketball Association
Following his selection in the 1984 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Bobby Parks transitioned to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) as his primary professional outlet in North America.[3] Parks played parts of four seasons in the CBA from 1985 to 1994, appearing in 83 games across four teams and establishing himself as a versatile forward known for his defensive prowess and scoring ability.[22] His career averages included 18.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, with solid contributions in steals (1.1 per game) and blocks (1.1 per game), highlighting his two-way impact.[22] In the 1985–86 season, Parks joined the Toronto Tornados (later relocated to Pensacola), playing 43 games and averaging 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 53.9% from the field.[22] His defensive efforts that year earned him a spot on the CBA All-Defensive Second Team, recognizing his ability to disrupt opponents with 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.[23] Parks moved to the Jacksonville/Mississippi Jets for the 1986–87 season, where he appeared in 18 games, boosting his efficiency to 57.7% field goal shooting and averaging 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.[22] After a hiatus, he returned with the Rockford Lightning in 1989–90, delivering a standout short stint with 26.4 points per game over 13 contests, alongside 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists, though his playing time was limited.[22] His final CBA action came in 1993–94 with the Rochester Renegade, where in 9 games he averaged 11.2 points and 3.8 rebounds.[22]| Season | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985–86 | Toronto Tornados | 43 | 17.8 | 6.2 | 2.1 | .539 |
| 1986–87 | Jacksonville/Mississippi Jets | 18 | 18.1 | 7.2 | 2.8 | .577 |
| 1989–90 | Rockford Lightning | 13 | 26.4 | 5.5 | 2.8 | .494 |
| 1993–94 | Rochester Renegade | 9 | 11.2 | 3.8 | 0.9 | .402 |
| Career | Total | 83 | 18.5 | 6.0 | 2.2 | .525 |