<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">French foreign legion: Parker didn't have Florida advancing to the Final Four in his NCAA bracket ? even though the Gators are led by a 6-foot-11 center who figures to some day join Parker on France's national team. Joakim Noah, who totaled 21 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in helping Florida beat Villanova on Sunday in the Minneapolis regional, is the son of former tennis pro Yannick Noah of France. "I don't know him at all," Parker said. "But I'm going to now." While Joakim Noah, a sophomore at Florida, isn't expected to play for France at this summer's World Championships, Parker thinks he'll probably be on the team if it qualifies for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. France has compiled an impressive collection of young talent. In addition to Parker, the national team could feature Phoenix forward Boris Diaw, Golden State guard Mickael Pietrus, Seattle center Johan Petro and Los Angeles Lakers forward Ronny Turiaff. Also available are guard Mickael Gelebale, a 2005 second-round draft pick of Seattle, and forward Ian Mahinmi, the Spurs' first-round selection last summer. "We've got a lot of young guys and I'm still young, too," said Parker, 23. "It's not like I'm 30. "We're going to try to do something good this summer (at the World Championships), but I think we'll be even better at the Olympics." </div> Source The French team is going to have a nice roster if all those players commit.
Wow, getting Noah? That would be a world of improvement over having Weis play. Now if we can get Sefolosha and a real point guard for our team, we will make some noise Anyone else here Francophone?
Question? His mother is a former Swedish super model, his father, from Africa, we all know was a Hall of Fame Tennis player, where does this equal him being on the French Natn'l Team? And he's from NYC, so, I'm confused? Was he born in France, I'm assuming? I really don't know, but I'm curious as to how that all works out because to be able to compete for a country in the Olympics you have to be a citizen?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KICKSDADDY613:</div><div class="quote_post">Question? His mother is a former Swedish super model, his father, from Africa, we all know was a Hall of Fame Tennis player, where does this equal him being on the French Natn'l Team? And he's from NYC, so, I'm confused? Was he born in France, I'm assuming? I really don't know, but I'm curious as to how that all works out because to be able to compete for a country in the Olympics you have to be a citizen?</div> He was born in NYC and has Swedish and American citizenship. He's considered to have French nationality, because his father was a French tennis player and had citizenship. All he has to do is apply for citizenship and he'd be able to play for France, which is why I suppose Parker's trying to woo him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j0se:</div><div class="quote_post">So... Parker Pietras Diaw Noah Petro ?</div> If you're talking about the roster then you can add Turiaf, Florent Pietrus, Gelabale, and Mahinmi probably too. I wonder if they can get Rigaudeau to play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KICKSDADDY613:</div><div class="quote_post">Question? His mother is a former Swedish super model, his father, from Africa, we all know was a Hall of Fame Tennis player, where does this equal him being on the French Natn'l Team? And he's from NYC, so, I'm confused? Was he born in France, I'm assuming? I really don't know, but I'm curious as to how that all works out because to be able to compete for a country in the Olympics you have to be a citizen?</div> It's like Mike Piazza competing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic
