'A tremendous blessing': Anthony Parker reflects on path from Bradley to NBA general manager

PEORIA — Something about Peoria seems to bring the NBA out in guys after their playing careers.

Shaun Livingston became director of player affairs and engagement for Golden State.

David Booth served as a scout for Memphis and New Orleans, then in 2020 was hired as NBA vice-president of basketball operations.

Hersey Hawkins became director of player development for the Portland Trail Blazers.

And now there is Anthony Parker, the former Bradley University star. He served as a scout for the Orlando Magic, then general manager for Lakeland in the NBA G League, then assistant general manager for Orlando the last two seasons.

And this week, he rose to the general manager role for the NBA Magic.

What's the first thing Parker did as GM?

"My celebration? It was flying out to Summer League in Las Vegas," Parker said, laughing. "But the first thing I did, really, was vow to answer every message I received from people congratulating me.

"There's no celebration, really. It's really something special to share with family friends co-workers. It's part of my journey."

More: Done deal: How Bradley Braves basketball coach Brian Wardle won a contract extension

Watching Bradley from afar

Parker was a junior guard/forward on Bradley's 1995-96 Missouri Valley Conference regular-season champions. It was the Braves' last MVC regular-season title for 27 years, until they broke through last season.

Even a future NBA GM had his eyes on that BU run, which included a 17-game win streak, at one point the third-longest active streak in the nation.

"I was watching that Drake game (a 73-61 BU win in the regular-season winner-take-all finale before a sellout crowd at Carver Arena)," Parker said. "It was amazing. It was the first live game I could watch with my son. He couldn't believe that atmosphere.

"I'm a big fan of (Bradley coach) Brian Wardle and what he's done."

Parker found out there is a degree of difficulty in trying to repeat as champion, something BU will be confronted with in 2023-24. His 1996-97 team went 17-13 (12-6 in conference) and finished tied for second in its title defense.

"It's such a difficult thing," Parker said. "Hard to do once. To repeat and do it with a target on your back is a true challenge. It's hard to play with that edge. You have to have a level of hunger and realize that past success doesn't mean you'll experience the same again in the future.

"You have to be driven."

A reunion with Candace Parker

Anthony Parker's sister, Candace, is a veteran of 15 WNBA seasons and playing this summer with the Las Vegas Aces.

When the new general manager of the Orlando Magic stepped off the plane in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, he found his sister playing a home game against Dallas.

It was a happy coincidence.

"It was fun to watch her play," said Parker, when asked how his sister was doing in her age 37 season. "One thing I've learned is you can not put limits on my sister. She busts through them. She's still playing really well. She impacts the game with her basketball IQ and leadership and every now and then shows she still has the ability to take over a game."

More: Former Bradley Braves star returns as part of the basketball staff

A word with his younger self

Parker was a first-round pick in the NBA Draft (New Jersey), played nearly 500 NBA games with Philadelphia, Orlando and Cleveland over nine seasons, then spent six years playing overseas in Israel and Italy.

After his playing career ended, he went to work in the Magic's front office. And here he is today, in the general manager chair, under team president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman.

If Parker could go back in time and tell his younger self on that Bradley conference championship team what was in store, how might he react?

"I'd have been very surprised and excited about the ride ahead," Parker said. "No way I could have predicted it. One thing I've learned as a player and working in the front office, it's all a journey.

"Celebrate the journey, it's never a finished product. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. I'm excited about this challenge. Our president, Jeff Weltman, has mentored me and helped me along the way, along with a lot of other people."

The NCAA transfer portal and NIL

The modified NCAA transfer portal rules have turned college coaches into roles as general manager, too. There are thousands of players to sift through and vet, strategic decisions on who to pursue. It's a much more complicated job than it was back when Parker played for Jim Molinari.

And the lure of NIL money is part of the game now, too.

"Before the portal, you could see some obstacles and issues that players face," Parker said. "It's a fluid situation now. A real challenge. And coaches and players today both know, anytime you make a change there will be consequences.

"As for the NIL money, I don't know too many people who would say no to money. You want athletes to have access to money, make things a little better for them. But I think it's changed everything. It's something we're going to have to deal with, live with in the game now going forward."

A magic career

Parker's first day as an NBA general manager also brought an opportunity for some reflection.

"This is a different grind. Different," he said. "Basketball has been a tremendous vehicle. I've played with, and met people all over the world. I met my wife (Tamy) because of basketball.

"The game has just been a tremendous blessing for me."

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Anthony Parker discusses path from Peoria to Orlando Magic GM