BOBBY RAY PARKS JR.’S chase for his National Basketball Association (NBA) dream continued after he was picked last in the National Basketball Association (NBA D-League Draft by the Westchester Knicks on Monday morning.
The former National University (NU) standout was the 131st overall selection after the six-round draft with former Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Brown emerging as the Erie Bayhawks’ top pick.
The 6-foot-4 Parks, who suited up for the Gilas Pilipinas team in the International Basketball Federation Olympic Qualifying Tournament in June, played for the Texas Legends in the last D-League season and averaged 4.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 32 games.
The Legends are the affiliate team of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Former Ateneo de Manila standout Kiefer Ravena is also trying out for the Legends.
The Westchester Knicks, on the other hand, is affiliated with the New York Knicks. The Knicks also picked Max Hooper, Lasan Kromah, Dane Miller and Jason Carter in the D-League Draft.
Another Filipino-American, Isiah Umipig, also was tabbed in the D-League Draft—he was picked second in the third round by Maine. The 24-year-old Umipig played college ball at Seattle and had a stint in Belgium.
Other familiar names in the D-League Draft were LaDontae Henton and Keala King. Henton, who played for Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup, was tabbed 10th overall by the Santa Cruz Warriors while King, who suited up for Blackwater, was selected eighth in the fifth round by Greensboro.
The D-League fires off on November 12 with the Knicks playing Delaware 87ers.