Ticked: Sports Day Events Summary Clip, 5.7 (Sports1)
Legendary former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Anthony Parker continues to climb the professional ranks of the Orlando Magic and was promoted to a particularly significant role on Wednesday when he was appointed general manager of the Florida team.
Parker, who served as assistant to the previous professional director for the past two years, John Hammond, was also promoted to a more senior position. "Anthony brings a unique angle as a former player, and it's been great to see his progress from player, scout, GM in development league and assistant GM to Magic. Anthony is the ultimate team player and we look forward to his leadership, experience and energy," complimented Jeff Veltman, Orlando's president of basketball affairs.
Anthony Parker in Israel during his time as Orlando Magic scout (Photo: Yossi Tsifakis)
Parker, who played five seasons for Maccabi Tel Aviv and won five doubles in Israel and three European Cups, being named Euroleague MVP two years in a row from 2004-2005, has carved his way through the Orlando management avenue in the 11 years since his retirement from active play. According to ESPN, "Many teams have been interested in his services during these years, but he stayed with the Magic and systematically prepared for a senior position there."
After retirement, he served as a scout for five years, from 2017 to 2021 he managed the Lakeland Magic subsidiary team and in his final season led them to the Development League championship, before returning to Orlando.
The team finished the 2022-23 season with the 24th-best record out of 30 teams in the NBA. In the draft two weeks ago, they selected guards Anthony Black with the sixth pick and Jeff Howard with the 11th pick, and Parker will hope those two help return Orlando to being a competitive team in the league.
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