UAAP: Parks set to forgo his final two years with NU

If plans do not miscarry, Bobby Ray Parks will not be returning to the National University Bulldogs next season.

In a phone conversation with GMA News Online, Parks replied, “No sir,” when asked if he would still be suiting up for the Bulldogs come UAAP Season 77.  “It sucks that I wasn’t able to bring a championship to NU but I’m doing this for my own personal career and growth.”

He also added, “My first priority was getting a degree and I’m graduating in March.”

The two-time MVP averaged 17.81 points, 8.12 rebounds, 3.69 assists, 1.25 steals and 1.12 blocks last season, but despite his team getting ranked as the number one seed, NU watched eventual runners-up University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers burn their twice-to-beat advantage and move on to the Finals.

Parks admitted that he hasn’t talked yet to Hans Sy and the rest of the management of National University, and when asked if they would be able to dissuade him, he admitted, “Nothing’s set in stone.”

NU Athletics Director Junel Baculi declined to comment.

Upon graduation in 2014, Parks said that he was headed to Memphis to train, adding that NBA player Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies was a family friend.

Parks will likely be trying out for the 2014 NBA Draft, where he could be the first Philippines-born player to make it in the NBA. If that doesn’t work out, he’d also be a hot prospect in the local professional ranks.

For now though, Parks is looking to represent the Philippines in the 2013 SEA Games later this month. He was part of the 2011 squad, also known as Sinag, which won gold. - AMD, GMA News