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Parks, Jr. becoming a Maverick 'hard to say at this point' says Cuban

Alder Almo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines -- While homegrown talent Bobby Ray Parks, Jr. put the Dallas Mavericks up there as one of the most mentioned teams in the social media during his NBA Summer League stint, it was not enough for the Fil-Am guard to guarantee him a roster spot. 

The Mavericks owner Mark Cuban could not give a definite answer when asked if Parks, Jr. has a chance to play in Dallas this season. 

"It's hard to say at this point," Cuban told NBA Philippines' columnist Homer Sayson on Thursday (Manila time). 

"Without question, Bobby had a great Summer League and proved he had an NBA skill level," Cuban added.

But in the end, the fate of the Fil-Am prospect and other candidates will be decided by "all the coaches and GM together," Cuban said.

Parks, Jr. showed he belong as his playing time increased in the Mavericks' final three games. 

(READ: Parks, Jr. should eye D-League stint if no NBA takers says Austria)

In six games, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 3.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10.5 minutes of play. Parks, Jr., a former two-time UAAP MVP out of the National U, jacked up his stats when the minutes came. He repaid the trust of Dallas Summer League coach Kaleb Canales with solid numbers of 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals with no single turnover in 16.7 minutes of playing time as the Mavericks won two of their last three outings. 

His best game came against the NBA D-League Select in the second round of the playoffs where he contributed a personal-best 10 points, five rebounds, four steals and one assist without a turnover in 21 minutes. 

But despite his efforts, the Mavericks filled up their backcourt by signing free agent John Jenkins after superstar point guard Deron Williams moved from Brooklyn to Dallas. The Mavericks also kept JJ Barea along with Raymond Felton and Devin Harris. 

Dallas' first round pick Justin Anderson, who averaged 17.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in the Summer League, is expected to round up the Mavericks' backcourt. Mavs.com reported early this week that Parks, Jr.'s Summer League teammates big man Jeremy Tyler, guards Jordan Crawford and Maalik Wayns might get invited to the training camp without any guaranteed contracts. 

(READ: Cone impressed by Parks, Jr.'s effort in NBA Summer League)

Parks, Jr. is still in the US waiting for an invitation to the Mavericks' training camp or any of the other NBA teams. He has since returned to his personal training with coach Christopher Thomas, the founder of the 100% Hoops Gym in Indiana. 

PBA coaches Tim Cone and Leo Austria gave their unsolicited advice that he should go after the NBA D-League to grow his confidence and get accustomed more to the tougher level of play in the US.  

The NBA D-League will have its own Draft on Nov. 1. 

vuukle comment

BOBBY RAY PARKS

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS

D-LEAGUE

D-LEAGUE SELECT

LEAGUE

MAVERICKS

NBA

NBSP

PARKS

QUOT

SUMMER LEAGUE

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