RAY Parks, Jr. is the 2024-25 Japan B.League Impressive Asia Player of the Year.
For the second year running, a Filipino player has won the top Asian Quota import nod after Thirdy Ravena’s breakthrough win last season with San-En Neophoenix.
“I just want to thank the B.League for this opportunity to play and represent the Philippines internationally,” the Osaka Evessa ace said.
PHOTO: Japan B.League
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“To the young generation dreaming of playing abroad in such a big league, it’s not just me. You can do it, too.”
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The 32-year-old Parks averaged 13.6 points on 41 percent shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals in his fourth year in Japan’s top-flight basketball league.
Parks Jr. was an instrumental figure in Osaka’s rocky regular season campaign where they finished fourth in the West Division and 13th overall with a 29-31 record — not enough for a playoff spot.
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In only his first season with the club after three years with the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins, his perimeter shooting proved to be his greatest asset as he shot 31.5 percent from range in 60 games played.
The second Filipino ever to win the award lauded the league’s inclusive platform for talents all over Asia like him to seize rare career-shifting opportunities in a continental powerhouse nation like Japan.
PHOTO: Osaka Evessa Instagram
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“Thank you so much for giving us a platform to perform and showcase our talents, and I really am appreciative of this. I’m forever grateful,” he said.
“To the Osaka fans for the unconditional love and support and the B.LEAGUE fans as a whole, thank you so much. Without you guys, we’re nothing.
“And to my family, for always supporting me even if they are far away, I definitely love them so much.”
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