Tony Parker reflects on his decade-long presidency at ASVEL, highlighting the club's transformation, achievements, and challenges while reaffirming his ambition to lead them to the EuroLeague Final Four.
Tony Parker has spent the past ten years shaping LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne into a basketball powerhouse.
Matthew Strazel
| Team: |
AS Monaco |
| Position: | PG |
| Age: | 22 |
| Height: | 182 cm |
| Weight: | 81 kg |
| Birth place: | France |
As club president since 2014, Parker has overseen significant transformations and remains driven to achieve even more. Despite challenges along the way, his commitment to the club is unwavering as he reflects on its successes and looks toward future ambitions.
Parker talked about his pride in the work that has paid off, the titles, the new LDLC Arena, and the creation of the Academy.
"The pride, it's everything. It's the overall work," Parker told L'Equipe. "It's the titles we've won over the last ten years, both in men's and women's basketball, but it's especially the evolution of the club, the fact that we've been able to bring it back to the top. When I took over the club ten years ago, everything was at a standstill. Nobody wanted to do anything for basketball."
"ASVEL hadn't won a title since 2009; there was no dominance anymore. The new arena (LDLC Arena) was a cornerstone. The training policy and the creation of the Academy were another. I also wanted us to bring in French stars first and then complete the roster with American players," Parker continued.
Discussing his philosophy and the strategic approach he implemented, Parker shares the foundation of ASVEL's revival and the innovations that set the club apart.
"Everyone knew our strategy; it was centered on that. By the way, Monaco eventually took inspiration from us and poached our French players, Strazel and Okobo!" Parker reminded. "We wanted a French base, players from the French national team. After that, I have nothing against Americans—we have some."
"David Lighty is the best example I can give: he played more than ten years at ASVEL, and his jersey will be retired at the club. There's also obtaining the EuroLeague A license, which is crucial for the club's evolution.
"Let's not forget that for three years [between 2016 and 2019], there was no French club in the EuroLeague! Jordi [Bertomeu, former CEO of the EuroLeague] didn't believe in French clubs anymore. He said they'd made 50,000 promises but never delivered. It took three years of negotiations to convince him," Parker argued.
When reflecting on missed opportunities with young talents and the recent struggles, Parker acknowledges both the challenges and the lessons learned.
"It's really a shame. We had put everything in place to make these two projects, Victor [Wembanyama] and Zaccharie [Risacher], successful. But at the time, we didn't see things the same way as the coach [TJ Parker, his brother]," Parker admitted. "Afterward, I completely understand Victor's and Zaccharie's decisions [to leave ASVEL before their draft year]."
"In the end, it's a fantastic thing for French basketball [they were drafted No. 1 in 2023 and 2024]. For ASVEL, it's really a pity. Even though basketball people know the work done with them at ASVEL was very good, it's disappointing not to have been able to complete the project. It leaves a slightly bitter taste," Parker noted.
Looking ahead, Parker's ambition for ASVEL remains as strong as ever.
"What makes us dream today is to make a EuroLeague Final Four, something ASVEL hasn't achieved since 1997," Parker revealed his ambition. "I think with the economic base here, the region, the metropolitan area, we're at our absolute maximum."
"I think I'm the same president I was ten years ago. I have the same passion, the same motivation, the same attention to detail, the same work ethic, and the same desire to win," Parker concluded.
As Parker continues to steer ASVEL, his vision is clear: sustained excellence, further growth, and a steadfast dedication to building on the foundations laid over the past decade.
Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan
LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne
Paris Basketball
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade