Team France keeps Parker on active squad

Even though San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker is expected to be back in the United States on July 5 for a medical evaluation of his injured eye (the injury suffered from the infamous Drake-Chris Brown brawl), his current French head coach, Vincent Collet, will keep Parker active as France will be making their way to Orleans, France for their next set of pre-Olympic games beginning July 7 according to the French Federation of Basketball (FFBB).

Les Bleus summoned to Orleans: Nicolas Batum, Yannick Bokolo, Fabien Talker, Nando De Colo, Boris Diaw, Yakhouba Diawara, Mickaël Gelabale, Kahuda Charles, Tony Parker, Florent Pietrus, Kevin Seraphin, Ronny Turiaf and Ludovic Vaty.

Though Parker isn’t allowed to play with Team France unless he gets clearance from the Spurs, it’s interesting to see that his French coach will still keep him on the active roster until a decision is made. Among the other players who will continue with Team France are Spurs’ free agent Diaw, and draftee Nando De Colo.

With Parker out, the French have continued to win as they’re 3-0 without him in exhibition play, as they defeated Italy twice, and the Ivory Coast once this past week. De Colo has been impressive in showing his point guard skills by taking over the position for France since Parker’s been out, while Diaw has also been solid for the French as he continues to shoot and pass and allow his teammates to excel from the post.