Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — It’s no secret Bobby Ray Parks Jr. harbors the dream of finally making it to the National Basketball Association (NBA).
In pursuit of this dream, the former National University Bulldog packed his bags and flew for the U.S. to try and turn the dream into a reality.
Parks took the next step to finally suiting up for an NBA club after a pre-draft workout with the Utah Jazz on Tuesday (June 16 PHT).
The workout with the Jazz is the first of five that Parks has scheduled.
Parks is also expected to showcase his wares in Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, and Atlanta Hawks.
“I think I did alright,” said Parks after his workout. “I’m just really trying to do what I can do and just work hard and show the coaches what I can bring to the team.”
Prior to his stint with the NU, Parks was committed to play for Georgia State before turning that down to be with his father in the Philippines.
It was a move that many considered to be a blow to a potential NBA career. But that’s not how the two-time University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) MVP saw it.
“For me, it was worth it. To be there until his dying seconds was a blessing for me,” Parks said. “Basketball careerwise, I still have the opportunity. I’m here right now working out for Utah, so it’s a blessing.”
The elder Parks was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 1984, but could not do enough to stay in the NBA.
“It was a dream of his, also mine,” he said.
A mystery
“I don’t travel to the Philippines much to watch players, so yeah he was a mystery,” said Jazz VP of Player Personnel Walt Perrin.
But after seeing the young Fil-AM cager strut his stuff, Perrin said, “There’s a lot of things he (Parks) needs to do more on the defensive end then on the offensive end that he’s got to learn and get better at.”
He added: “But it was good getting him in and having the opportunity to look at him.”
Parks was one of six players who auditioned for the Jazz, who will be looking at dozens of players in the build up to the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Jazz have a history of picking up and developing undrafted players, finishing the 2014-15 regular season with five undrafted players in their roster.
One of whom is former Petron Blaze Boosters import, Elijah Millsap.
Watch the interview of Bobby Ray Parks Jr. with the Utah Jazz here.
