IF we’re talking about the legacy of the late Bobby Parks Sr. — arguably one of the greatest imports to ever grace the PBA — his son, Bobby Ray Parks Jr., is living up to his dad's impressive numbers.
Junior has been a consistent producer throughout his career, averaging 18.8 points, 33-percent from threes, 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals, in his first full season following the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft, where he was picked at No. 2 by Blackwater. (He now plays for TnT Tropang Giga.)
But did you know that he’s not the only Parks brimming with potential?
Meet the 19-year-old Bobby Mark Parks, Ray’s younger half brother.
Currently playing for Waubonsee Community College, an NJCAA Division II school in Illinois, freshman Bobby Mark is determined to carve a path of his own, out of the colossal dual shadows of both his father and his brother.
“I want to follow [in their] footsteps but at the same time, I want to create my own pedestal,” he told Spin Life.
As befits his lineage, he got an early start playing hoops. "Since I was five, I’ve already loved playing basketball. It’s probably because of the genes," he recalled.
When he was in grade school, the younger Parks played for the National University for two years, where his father served as the athletic director sometime in 2011.
Bobby was just 12 years old when his father passed away. After Parks Sr.’s death, Bobby and his mom decided to head back to Memphis, where he was born, to work on his basketball skills.
Before he opted for college preparation, he first made waves in the court as part of Harding Academy Memphis’ high school basketball team. It was there that he made school history, cracking the school’s 1,000-point club, as well as making it to their league’s All-Star team.
“I was 15 when I started playing competitively in different high school tournaments," he said. "My coach in Harding believed in me and it kept going for four years.”
From there, he got scouted by Waubonsee for his college preparation level, where he now stands tall as a 6-foot-4 shooting guard.
Like his father, Bobby Mark sports the jersey No. 22.
“It was an honor having a dad people look up to. I look up to him as well. He’s my motivation to keep working on my game, slowly fixing pieces together,” he said.
Up to now, Bobby Ray Senior's words resonate with him as he works to improve as a player.
“My dad often told me to just be humble, and I’ve been keeping that in mind ever since,” he said. “He told me to just put my game right and be myself.”
He added: "I’ve been training hard, I’m working a lot on improving my game here."
When Spin Life asked if it he's ever thought about playing in the Philippines, Bobby Mark admitted that it's crossed his mind a couple of times.
In fact, a UAAP coach has already tapped him once.
“Me and my mom were discussing about going back. But right now, I just want to work here to get better. That’s the whole reason why I’m here. If I were to get an offer in the Philippines, I have to wait a bit more because I want to get prepared,” he said.
How about Gilas? Like his kuya?
He answered: “Thought about it multiple times, I’d love to, my mom would love if I’ll be playing for Gilas. No one from the national team has shown interest yet but I’m definitely open, for sure.”
Bobby also revealed that he’s already secured a dual citizenship at age 11 and playing for the Philippine team is absolutely not impossible.
But right now, he’s focused on one thing, and one thing only: working on his skills to become a better player, whether in the States or on the international stage.
Looking at his highlight videos, it's clear that Parks has both range and defense.
“Say, less than five years, just a couple more years and we’ll see about it [playing in the Philippines],” he said. “Right now, I’m just focused on being in good shape, I want to make sure I’m fully equipped.”
He also keeps in touch with big bro Ray, who has been giving him tips on how to step up his game.
“My brother, we get in contact from time to time, he’s busy most of the time, but we’re in contact. He tells me the little things I need to be better,” he said.
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