Parks Family Returns To Philippines
Reported by: Kathy Morris
Email:
kmorris@myeyewitnessnews.com
MEMPHIS, TN -- Melrose High School guard Bobby (Ray) Parks, Junior had just finished his junior year when he got the news from his father, Bobby Parks, Senior.
“Shocked. I didn't know what to say. I had no emotion about it," said Parks, Junior.
He was told the Parks family was moving back to the Philippines, the country from which they moved to Memphis not long ago. Bobby Parks, Senior had accepted a position as athletics director at a school in Manila. They left Memphis June 2.
Parks, Senior said of the career switch, "They've been trying to hire me for about two years now, but at that time it wasn't a good move for everybody. I could have took it, but I think Bobby would have suffered."
You see this move is about more than just a job. It's also about Bobby, Jr.'s basketball future. After spending time at St. George's and Melrose, the next chapter starts with the Philippine national team.
Bobby, Sr. explained, "My plans is for him to play with 18 and-under team for a while, then moving him up. You know to play for the main national team."
The Parks family just moved back from the Philippines four years ago. Bobby, Senior knew his son needed to get noticed by college coaches here in the United States.
After all, Bobby, Sr. played at the University of Memphis and for professional teams in the Philippines and France.
"He's already got scholarship offers,” the father added,
“so now my thing is to keep him academically eligible for the U.S. and to make him better."
Ray and his siblings have dual citizenships. They will enroll in a Philippine school where English and Filipino are spoken
Bobby, Jr. said of the sudden switch again in residency, "Well it's going to be different again, since it's a big adjustment, since I just adjusted here to the U.S., but it's a sacrifice that I'm willing to make."
As Parks, Sr., the Philippine Basketball Association Hall of Fame player reflected on his decision, he is confident this move is the correct one."As a father I would hate to look back two years from now and say, ‘what if’."
