Hornets’ Tony Parker Revisits San Antonio, Receives Heartwarming Welcome

January 16, 2019 | CBN

Tony Parker Revisits San Antonio, Receives Heartwarming Welcome

“It was a great memory for me that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

Monday night, basketball legend Tony Parker made a jubilant return to San Antonio for a special Hornets vs. Spurs game.

Parker originally played for the Spurs during the first 17 years of his NBA career, helping them to win four championships.

Fans embraced Parker at the AT&T Centre with a nearly 3-minute tribute video, standing ovations and a powerful chant in his name. Several of the NBA star’s family members even flew from France to surprise him for his return, delighting Tony during his warm-ups as they appeared courtside.

Parker was certainly feeling emotional from all of the love he received.

"I am drained physically and emotionally," Parker said. "It was an awesome night, and I just want to thank the fans for the way they reacted tonight. It was unbelievable, and I appreciate it. It was a great memory for me that I will cherish for the rest of my life." (Re: Bleacher Report)

Tony first entered the Monday game with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter, making his first shot with 2:56 left in the third quarter, and contributing a total of eight points and four assists with no turnovers to the Hornets’ overall win of 108-93.

"I care so much about the Spurs. It was very weird to play against them," Parker said. "I don't know if I was nervous. It was a little bit of everything. They [the Hornets] told me before the game they wanted it for me. Then after the game I was like, 'Why don't we play like that every road game? C'mon, no excuses.' I am going to be on them now.”, said Parker. (Re: Bleacher Report)

NBA.com states that Parker has made clear that, if it was completely up to him, he never would have left the Spurs.

He shared a special moment with former coach Gregg Popovich after his return.

"Tony is a wonderful human being," said Popovich. "He was a great player for us, and he deserved all of the love that he received. That is for sure."

 

Follow @CBN_News on Instagram