Tab Baldwin confirms Ray Parks joining Gilas Pilipinas pool

Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin has confirmed that Bobby Ray Parks Jr. is joining the national team pool for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

The coach was tapped as a commentator in Game One of the Commissioner's Cup between Alaska and Rain or Shine, and the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player happened to be watching the match from the stands.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Baldwin said Parks is expected to report to practice when Gilas begins training camp on May 18.

"I've included him in the pool," said the American-Kiwi coach, who steered the team to two silver medals last year in the FIBA Asia Championship and the William Jones Cup.

Parks, 23, was part of the Gilas Cadets squad which won the gold medal in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship last year.

He skipped the Southeast Asian Games shortly after and headed to the United States to pursue his NBA dream. He went undrafted in the 2015 rookie draft but got an offer to play in the summer league for the Dallas Mavericks.

Parks eventually signed with Texas Legends in the NBA D-League, averaging 4.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.

The left-handed shooting guard will beef up the wing for Gilas Pilipinas and provide additional firepower to the team.

Parks' arrival comes at a perfect time for the national team, especially with Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson already ruled out of playing in the wild card qualifiers. —ALG, GMA News