Parks, Jr. should eye D-League stint if no NBA takers says Austria

MANILA, Philippines -- While most of the PBA teams are waiting for Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. to join the rookie draft next month, San Miguel Beermen coach Leo Austria isn't keen on seeing the Fil-Am return to the country anytime soon. 

Not because the Beermen will not have a chance to draft the 6-foot-4 lefty but because he's afraid that Parks, Jr. will lose his shot at making it to the NBA. The Beermen won't be picking until the late third round this year. 

Austria, who played with Parks, Jr.'s father Bobby, Sr. twice in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in the mid-90's, believes that the former National U standout has what it takes to become the first homegrown talent in the NBA. 

"Kung ako rin sa lugar niya, I will try my best na makapunta sa NBA Summer League at D-League kasi that's the only way na makita ang talent mo eh. In terms of talent, meron siya eh. It's just a matter of preparation," Austria told Philstar.com. 

Parks, Jr. made a good account of himself in the limited time he has played in the Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks. While he had a jittery start with limited minutes on the floor, the Fil-Am prospect gained more confidence as his playing time increased in their final three games.

His best game came against the NBA D-League select in the second round of the playoffs where he scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and collected four steals and one assist in 21 minutes.  

Austria believes that Parks, Jr. still has plenty of time to catch up and adjust his game in the US since he is just 22 years old.  

"Kasi 'nung naglaro siya dito, hindi naman point guard ang position niya. Ngayon sa US, pang-point guard lang ang size niya but if he will be given the right time, magkakaroon siya ng opportunity. The competition in the US is really tough eh," Austria said. 

"For him, 'wag siya mawalan ng pag-asa. Keep on trying kasi wala namang mawawala sa kaniya eh. Mayroon pa rin namang PBA as fallback. Maraming maghihintay sa kaniya at babantayan siya. Para wala kang regret dahil mamaya magkaroon siya ng opportunity," Austria added. 

Dallas' Summer Legaue coach Kaleb Canales was impressed with Parks, Jr.'s aggressiveness and his desire to attack the basket. But the scuttlebutt is that he needs to develop the different facets of his game as noted by mavsmoneyball.com writer Kirk Henderson.

The Mavericks' beat reporter wrote: "He doesn't have one major skill for the next level, but right now his motor and willingness to do what's asked of him is really important [for the Mavericks]." in one of their game recaps. 

If Parks, Jr. will not get an NBA offer before the the training camp begins, Austria thinks the next most logical choice for him is to set his eyes on the NBA D-League, which will have its own draft on Nov.1.  

"After the Summer League games, may D-League pa naman. At saka you can never know anong mangyayari sa NBA dahil baka may magka-injury, magkasakit during the season, magkaroon siya ng chance," Austria said. 

Parks, Jr. is still in the US and remains focused on his dream as he returned to training on his own under coach Christopher Thomas of 100% Hoops Gym in Indianapolis.   

"Minsan destiny yan eh. As long as you are working hard and determined to make it, maraming paraan eh. So it's a matter of hard work," Austria said.