Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is abut creating yourself – George Bernard Shaw
Four games into the 2016-17 ABL Season, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. has been lighting it up for Alab Pilipinas. After years of training in the States, the fruits of his labor are finally paying dividends, becoming the leader of a young team that badly needs one.
Besides his added weapons both on and off the court, there’s a small detail that the second generation altered — a change in aesthetics that is minimal to the naked eye but means a lot for Parks.
During his years with collegiate team National University Bulldogs, NBA D-League club Texas Legends, and even Gilas Pilipinas, the back of his jersey always read Parks. With Alab Pilipinas though, he added a small detail to it, adding “Jr.” to his back.
“Oh, you noticed that, huh? Someone finally did!” the 23-year-old said.
His father, the late-great Bobby Ray Parks Sr., was one of the most celebrated players to ever grace the PBA. However, being the son of legend also brings pressure and expectations.
The Filipino-American is not one to shy away from pressure, but for him, he also needs to make a name for himself to pave the way for the next generation in his bloodline.
“Basically, Parks is my family name, but at the end of the day, I have a path that I have to make myself,” said Parks, who is averaging 24.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in the ABL.
“I would want my son to do the same thing and I’d be proud of my son if he had ‘Parks III’ on.”
Still, the two-time UAAP MVP never forgets to look back in order to move forward.
“Of course, I still carry his name. People define themselves by their family name,” he shared.
“But I also have to create my own path. That’s the reason I have ‘Parks Jr.’ just so everybody knows.”
With his brightest and best days still ahead of him, everyone will definitely know who Parks Jr. is.
