It’s a time of profound grief for Tony Parker and his family. The Spurs legend announced the passing of his father, Tony Parker Sr. earlier this week. The senior Parker, who was 70 at the time of his passing, was a basketball star in his own right and his loss hits too close to home. After breaking the news, Parker broke his silence on his father’s passing for the first time. Amid an outpouring of condolences, the 4x NBA champion expressed his grief over losing his father in a heartbreaking letter.

Parker posted a tribute on his Instagram accompanied with photographs of his father through the years, including from when he was a kid and his 2023 Hall of Fame induction when the older Tony got a special shoutout in his speech. He wrote this tribute in French. A rough translation reads as follows.

“There are no words strong enough to describe what I feel today. My father, Tony Parker Senior, has passed away… He was my first role model, my first coach, my inspiration.He was the one who instilled in me this all-consuming passion for basketball, this high standards, this determination to never give up. It was from him that I learned the value of hard work, mental strength, and above all, the love of the game.”

During his Hall of Fame speech, Parker choked up when it came to his dad and couldn’t put a lot into words then. In this post, he opened up about his dad and how he was much more than a father and coach.

“But my father wasn’t just my inspiration. He was a unique figure. On and off the court, he exuded a unique energy. With his smile, his charisma, his outspokenness, and his impeccable three-piece suits, he never left anyone indifferent.”

Fans of course know the Tony Parker who was the face of the Spurs for many years and defined French basketball before the likes of Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama came into the picture. But it was Tony Parker Sr. who became an inspiration for international players and his son won’t let anyone forget that.

Tony Parker celebrates his father’s legacy

Tony Parker Sr. was found dead in his son, Tony Jr’s home, on Sunday afternoon. A statement by the family confirmed it but no other details were revealed.

For the rest of his post, Tony Parker recalls how his father helped paved the way for himself and more French basketball players. “He inspired an entire generation of basketball players in France, long before basketball took on the importance it holds today. He represented the NBA before its time, with his American accent and his natural way of making everyone around him feel at ease. He paved the way, showed that you could be different, that you could shine, that you could make people love this sport through a strong and genuine personality.”

Senior Tony was originally from Chicago and played basketball at Loyola in the ’60s, in an era where there was no three-point shot. Without it, he’d average 17.4 points and 6.9 rebounds. He’d go overseas to France, Belgium and the Netherlands for a professional career before his sons, Tony Jr., TJ and Pierre continued his basketball legacy. By shaping his sons’ careers both in the US and internationally, Tony Parker Sr. redefined basketball careers beyond the NBA.

It’s for that reason, the Spurs legend wrote, “He was much more than a father; he was a guide, a landmark, a pillar. Thanks to him, I understood at a very young age that dreams are built with heart and courage.”

Funnily enough, the Parker patriarch himself credited Michael Jordan for inspiring his son. “I never forced my sons to play basketball. I don’t believe in that. I have three sons, and I let them grow up, giving them the freedom to choose what they wanted to do. Tony chose basketball. But it wasn’t until he saw Michael Jordan play where he finally chose basketball over football,” the late Parker said a long time ago.

The younger Tony ended the letter with gratitude for his dad. “Today, a whole part of me is leaving with him… But his spirit, his strength, and everything he passed on to me will continue to live on through me, my brothers, and all those he inspired. Thank you for everything, Dad. I will love you forever.”

The post stirred emotions on social media. Several of Parker’s close friends showed love and support through comments. Even his ex-wife, Eva Longoria showed her support with “🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽” emojis. Rudy Gobert, who’s shown admiration for TP also expressed his condolence.