Germany’s fine, but there’s no place like home

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Germany’s fine, but there’s no place like home

Andrew Parker glad to be back

By Chris O’Leary, Freelance to the Edmonton Journal April 24, 2009

Flanked by his soon-to-be teammates on Thursday, Andrew Parker sat hanging onto his meal ticket.

With a Molten international-style basketball in his hands, the Edmonton Energy guard/forward was a part of the team’s press conference, where coach Paul Sir introduced a large chunk of the team’s 2008-09 International Basketball League roster.

Fresh off a four-month stint with City Basket Recklinghausen, a professional team in Germany, Parker, 26, was jet-lagged but in good spirits when talking about his time overseas.

"That was the best basketball experience I’ve ever had," said the six-foot-five Parker, who averaged 25 points, seven rebounds and three steals per game.

"Skill-wise, (the competition) was OK.

"It was eye-opening because I saw some of those higher levels and I know that I could definitely play there.

"For me, I didn’t want to stay in Edmonton doing nothing. I wanted to find ways to continue playing basketball.

"After I played in Germany, I went to France for 21/2 weeks and practised with the Pro B team, with Jermaine’s team," Parker said, referring to his cousin and fellow local talent Jermaine Bucknor.

After watching him work out through this week, Sir said Parker looks to have matured from a year ago when he suited up for the Edmonton Chill.

"I see a more mature, more balanced player," Sir said.

"We’re definitely going to up the expectations on Andrew this year.

"He has to be more of a complete player in all areas, and I think he will be.

"He can shoot, he can defend, he can rebound, his athleticism is unquestionable, but I’ll tell you we’ve got a lot of good athletes on this team. Andrew happens to be a great athlete. He’s making great progress."

While he explores his options for playing more ball in Europe next season, Parker admitted that he missed his hometown.

He wore No. 99 in Germany as a tribute to Edmonton.

"I came into Edmonton International Airport (on Monday) and I kissed the ground," he said.