Tony Parker Jordan Brand Classic Diary

The Georgia native gets ready for the JBC.

While he spends the next few weeks preparing for the Jordan Brand Classic, Tony Parker shares his experience with SLAMonline! Check daily to read up on his preparation leading to the April 14 tip-off. For more on the game, including buying tickets, rosters and alumni, visit the game’s official website, JordanBrandClassic.com.

As told to Peter Walsh

The last week has been crazy, between all the traveling, interviews, recruiting and playing–I definitely need some sleep! The McDonald’s game was great, it was a fun experience playing with all the guys I’ve been playing AAU with for a long time. Everybody was really excited to get out there and we played hard, I thought everyone played well and we had a great time together.

Right now, my list of colleges is still pretty long. The schools that I’m most interested in are: Duke, UCLA, Ohio State, Memphis, Georgetown, Georgia and Kansas. It’s going to be a tough decision because all of these colleges have great basketball programs and a lot to offer off the court. My style of play is very hard-nosed, but I also like to have fun, so I definitely want to wind up at a place with the best of both worlds. I’m not looking for just a great place to play basketball, but also a great place to get a degree from–education is very important to my family and I.

I’m very fortunate to have my parents supporting me through the whole recruiting process. My phone has been ringing 24/7, but I don’t even answer; my mom and dad handle all that for me. They love it, though, they think the world of it, they love talking to the coaches.

I’ve been watching the NCAA Tournament very closely and am looking forward to watching the Final Four this weekend and hopefully play in the tournament myself one day. I’ve been very impressed with Kansas and the way they are playing right now. Thomas Robinson has put the team on his back and Tyshawn Taylor has been a beast the whole tournament. They are going to be very tough to beat.

I also love the way Kentucky is playing. They are the best defensive team in the country and have been beating teams up on that end of the court. I think it’s going to be the Wildcats and the Jayhawks in the championship game.

Graduation can’t come soon enough, senioritis is very real! I’m looking forward to prom and everything and I want to have fun, but I can’t wait to go to college. I love the fact that I have the chance to take my game to the next level. High school was fun and I think I played well, but I can really master my game while playing in college.

I have a few more All-Star games coming up and I hope I finish out my high school career strong. The Jordan Brand Classic will be the perfect way to cap off the last four years. Playing my last high school game while wearing Jordans? I can’t think of a better situation.