Bobby Ray Parks doesn't regret skipping US NCAA to be with dad

MANILA, Philippines -- Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. does not regret skipping a stint in the US NCAA in what could have been an easier route to the NBA. 

In an exclusive interview with the NBA Philippines ahead of the Texas Legends' Media Day, Parks, Jr. said that basketball is the least of his priorities at that time. 

"It was a family decision, so, it wasn't just my decision, I took all the considerations and I believe that NU was really building a program, that spending the next couple of the years, they did so well, the education and they were able to help me out with my situation," Parks, Jr. told NBA Philippines' correspondents Rex Alba and Homer Sayson in a conference call on Wednesday (Manila time). 

The son of former seven-time PBA Best Import and Hall of Famer Bobby Ray Parks, Sr. shunned an offer from Georgia Tech in the US NCAA Division I and went to play for the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP instead where he helped the once league doormats to become a consistent Final Four team.  Though he failed to win a championship with the school, Parks, Jr. was twice named as the league Most Valuable Player. 

But more than his accolades on the basketball court, the 22-year old lefty should be known for being the family's ultimate MVP. 

He never left his father's side at the time he was diagnosed with cancer, which led to his death in 2013. While the decision to leave a promising basketball career in the US and returned home left him out of the radar of the NBA scouts, Parks, Jr. does not regret anything. 

"Yeah, definitely it suffered, but I wont say that I regret it.  I know that I have a tougher path coming back to the Philippines, but it puts into perspective, what are your priorities, no. 1 is God, second is family and then basketball. So, I had to put my family first," said Parks, Jr., who grew up in Paranaque City before joining his father in Memphis when he retired from basketball. 

Call it good karma but it is for that same reason that convinced the Mavericks' organization that they got something special in Parks, Jr.  From Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban to Texas Legends head coach Nick Van Exel, they speak highly of Parks, Jr.'s great character because he brings with him a set of values he acquired from his father more than just the basketball skill set. It is a living testament on how Parks, Sr. raised good person and not just a good basketball player.  

Now, Parks, Jr. is working hard to realize the dream he shared with his father. 

After playing in the Dallas Mavericks' NBA Summer League team, he was selected as the 25th overall pick by their affiliate team in the D-League and is scheduled to make his debut on weekend (Saturday Manila time) against the Austin Spurs, San Antonio's farm team.