What year did Tony Parker enter the NBA draft?

Tony Parker entered the NBA draft in 2001. The San Antonio Spurs selected the French point guard with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA draft.

Parker had already turned professional in France with Paris Basket Racing, so he did not follow the usual American college route. His performance at the 2000 Nike Hoop Summit helped attract NBA attention, and San Antonio invited him to work out before the draft.

Parker initially faced skepticism because he was only 19 and relatively unknown in the United States. He quickly won a starting role, however, and became one of the central players in the Spurs dynasty. He won four NBA championships with San Antonio and was named 2007 NBA Finals MVP.

A common mix-up is confusing Parker’s draft year with his NBA debut season. He was drafted in 2001 and began his rookie season that same year, while his first championship came in 2003.