BOBBY Ray Parks Jr. has officially found a new home.
The disgruntled TNT star formally signed a contract with Nagoya in the Japan B.League, the ballclub announced yesterday.
“I am honored to be part of the Dolphins and will do my best to bring victory to the city of Nagoya. It is my honor and privilege to represent our team and I can’t wait to get out there and compete and do our best to bring home a championship to the city of Nagoya,” Parks said.
“I’m excited to meet my teammates, management, and most especially all the fans,” he added.
The 6-foot-4 Parks opted not to sign a contract extension with the KaTropa last March, citing “personal reasons” on why he chose to skip the PBA’s 46th season.
No less than former PLDT president and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan questioned Parks’ decision to take a sabbatical after he was seen on social media surfing in La Union with 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Roger Casugay.
Parks was eventually given the green light by TNT and the pro league to go to Japan.
Former Ateneo star Thirdy Ravena was the first Filipino to play in the B.League last year for San-EnNeoPhoenix, while former University of the Philippines wingman Jaydee Tungcab was also set to play in the league’s second division but did not push through due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NLEX star and Thirdy’s brother Kiefer Ravena was also signed by Shiga Lakestars.
Parks, 28, led the Tropang Giga in last year’s Philippine Cup bubble in Clark with 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in 17 games.
TNT wound up with a 7-4 card after the elimination round and hurdled Alaska and Phoenix Super LPG in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively to reach the Big Dance.
With Parks hobbling with a strained calf injury, the Tropang Giga lost to Ginebra in five games in the finals.
