Tony Parker spent time in the summer playing basketball in his father’s native Chicago during his youth, but was mostly raised in France.

When it came time to decide the next step of his burgeoning basketball career, the San Antonio Spurs’ guard was “very close” to going to UCLA or Georgia Tech before opting to begin his pro career in France.

Parker, who has been dealing with a right triceps contusion and is a game-time decision, is averaging 21.1 points on 53.6 percent shooting and is seventh in the NBA in assists, averaging 7.6 entering Wednesday’s matchup against Phoenix. He is the only player in the NBA averaging at least 20 points and seven assists while shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Hall of Famer Larry Bird is the only player to do that for an entire season, accomplishing the feat with the 1986-87 Boston Celtics.

“If it [the MVP] happens, it happens. If not, LeBron is unbelievable. But for me, I don’t think about it. It’s not in my hands.”

via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports