From a 30-point game to a decade in Italy, Parks shares insights on leadership, consistency, and chasing titles
Jordan Parks: ‘We showed who we are’ in historic comeback
Entrevistas
17 Min lectura
Jordan Parks has seen plenty in his decade-long Italian basketball journey, but Umana Reyer Venice’s stunning comeback against Bahcesehir College Istanbul will stand out forever.
Down at halftime and facing one of the EuroCup’s top teams, Reyer erupted for 65 second-half points — nearly a competition record — with Parks leading the charge with a career-high 30-point performance.
In this interview with Javier Gancedo, Parks reflects on the turning point, his growth as a player, and why Venice feels like home as he sets his sights on a championship in 2026.
What an incredible win against Bahcesehir! Things were not looking good at halftime but you did something historic, scoring 65 points in the second half. What did you talk about at halftime to turn things around?
"Thanks a lot. The first half was definitely tough and I think the atmosphere in the building kind of made things feel like we were in a worse position than we actually were. I spoke up and just told guys to kind of really understand the moment and just see that there was a lot going on in the first half, where we were playing really good defense, Malachi Flynn made some really tough shots and those can be deflating, but it doesn't really define exactly what our first half was. So I thought we did a lot of good things. I told the team just to keep pushing and playing the way we are and let's see if he's going to come out and do the same thing in the second half in the same way, and we know what type of second-half team we are as far as offensively and just trying to limit second-chance points."
It was a character win. Those 65 second-half points were almost a EuroCup record. Could this be a season-changing moment for you?
"I think moments like that could always be a season-changer, but I think what's really working for us right now is our attitude and the approach that we have had in practice over the last few weeks. Whether it's translated to wins or losses, I think it's been something that's been pushing us in the right direction, and then obviously playing against a team that was number two in the EuroCup, we knew what type of game it was when we played in Istanbul on the road. So I think that has some motivating factors in the game. Guys knew the importance of it and just wanting to play better than we did our first time around and show that we are one of the top teams in EuroCup."
You mentioned road games. Reyer is 4-1 at home, winning the last four, and 1-5 on the road. What does it take to be as competitive on the road as you are at home?
"For us, I think having consistent effort has been our Achilles heel this year, and that's something that we have pointed out. We are trying to be more accountable individually and as a collective team. We have what we need and I think we just have to figure out. It's still a work in progress. Luckily, we still have some games to get it right. We just got to figure out exactly what it is that each person can give. Just what little bit more can each player give that will really help this team get to what we can be."
You had a career game against Bahcesehir with 30 points. Seeing the experience, physicality and overall game knowledge you have, is this the best moment of your career?
"Yeah, I guess I can say that. Individually, I have just been feeling over the years, each year I have been better at something, whether it be shooting, defense, being vocal, being a better teammate. Honestly, I just feel each day moving forward, I am in my best moment. Obviously, having a big game kind of shines a light on that, but I feel good. This year, God willing, I can complete the season with no injuries, but that's been one of the most important things on my mind, just availability. Being available, being healthy and being able to contribute the things I bring to this team."
It is rare to see an American player on the same team for four seasons, but Reyer is no ordinary team. What do you like so much about Reyer? What has kept you there for so long?
"I have been playing in Italy for 10 years. Obviously, growing through the Italian league, I kind of had my sights set on where I would have liked to see myself. And Reyer was one of the places, and then just being here... I think the best thing about being here is the consistency. I know what I'm going to get. Obviously, this club is a very important one for Italy and also playing European competitions over the years and being able to be a pivotal part of something. And people appreciate you for who you are. I don't need to hide who I am or dim my light around here. I can just show up as Jordan Parks every day. I think that alone is something that has kept me here and made it easy for me to stay here. I'm not sure if you get that in many places in Europe or just in the world in general. I don't want to say it's comfort or being content, but it's nice to have consistency in being able just to continue to build and fight for a goal and not have to restart every year."
As you said, you have played in Italy for over a decade, for several teams. I am sure there are many things you like other than the pasta and the culture. What is it?
"I think it's a total package of things. I definitely consider not just things on the court but off the court as well. I'm obviously here for 10 months of the year, so being able to take my mind off basketball and being able to do things, eat well, and enjoy culture is important to me. I have been fortunate enough to play all around Italy in basically every region there is, and the people are inviting. I have just grown a liking to the country. It's not something where I can every year say to myself, 'I'm staying in Italy', but it's definitely something where Italy is definitely going to have the advantage when it comes to me, to my choosing. Also, just the competition in the league, being here and seeing where it was and where it's going, as far as just the style of basketball and the caliber of players that've been in the league for me, is great. I just think that my brand of basketball, my style, fits perfectly for Italian basketball. Now, could that be in other countries as well? Possibly, but I know what I know. Right now, once you spend some time in one place, you kind of want to see it through. I would love to be able to win a championship here in Italy, whether that be the Italian League or EuroCup or both. That's pretty much something that's just been set in my mind and in my goals."
After so many years, you must be seen as a domestic player by everyone in Italy. Your kids probably speak Italian, too. How comfortable is Italy for you compared to anywhere else in the world?
"It's definitely more comfortable than anywhere else right now. It's kind of like a second home. Unfortunately, this season, my kids are not with me. They are staying at home. We have turned the chapter in our lives in the States as well, purchasing a new home and stuff. My daughter was kind of getting to that age in school where we wanted to make sure she was caught up and able to be capable in the American school system. They stayed back this year. That's why the game was a little more emotional for me because this year I was without them and they actually arrived here maybe two days before the game. It was the first game. My son loves basketball. It was the first game he actually was able to attend with him kind of knowing what was going on. That made it pretty cool. But being able to be here without them, yeah, it helps. It's like a second home because I'm familiar with a lot of people here. I have a lot of friends and people that I consider family who live here in Italy, so it kind of fills that void when my family's not here with me."
In Round 12, Reyer will face Neptunas Klaipeda in Lithuania. You played with Arnas Velicka in Napoli Basket four years ago, in the 2021-22 season. How much are you looking forward to visiting a new city and facing a former teammate who is doing so well this season?
"Honestly, I always look forward to playing in new cities. I just love to be able to say I've visited somewhere and I try to walk outside and see some things before the games and just being able to experience what that country's culture is with sports. And maybe that organization might be better than another and being able to play against a former teammate and somebody like Arnas, who when I played with him, he was really young and you could see the potential he had. And now, being able to fast forward, it seems like I am an old guy. I'm just 31! But fast forward four or five years and watching him be a leader on his team and some of the things that you saw in him as a young player is actually shining through now. And yeah, I kind of spoke to him about that the first time we played and I'm looking forward. I'm sure he's going to play with a different kind of confidence while he's at home, so it's always fun to compete against peers."
How great is it for a basketball fan to play for Reyer and listen to Coach Spahija and Coach Molin's stories?
"Oh man, it's an amazing combination because you kind of have a mix of old and new. I think Reyer has an old traditional feel, so you kind of get to see what the people before you experienced and why they loved it and why they played so hard and the passion they have. And then you have kind of the new, where you mix in someone like Coach Neven, who's seen it all. He's been at every level. He knows so much. And just listening to him sometimes and him telling his stories... he has some incredible stories and just things that you can only dream of experiencing. And so he likes to share those stories. And that's amazing because it kind of also motivates you. It lets you know you are around somebody who is extremely successful, somebody who knows what they are talking about. And it just gives you a bit more confidence. And then with Coach Lele, being as tenured as he is as an assistant coach, he has success as a head coach in Trento. We actually played against them a few years ago. So just bringing that kind of competitiveness and jokingness about who was better and what he has from the game, and what he saw from his view, not just as a head coach, but as an assistant. It's a good combination. It works well. I think sometimes it takes a bit of adjusting to, but everybody always ends up coming along. But around this time of the year, the guys start to get it."
The game in Klaipeda will be the first EuroCup showdown in 2026. What do you wish for your fans and the team in 2026?
"My wish for the team obviously is a championship. I mean, I know it takes steps. The first thing I would like to do is take the next step forward. We have been to two EuroCup Playoffs in my years here and both ended in the first round. So the next goal would be to get out of the first round and ultimately play the next round. Hopefully, that can end with us in a championship. And for the fans, I hope that they can continue to support and rally behind us, even through the struggles and the times where things aren't necessarily going as great as they would like. But knowing that, we are there each and every single day and we are fighting for the team. This team is completely, completely unselfish and one of the most non-egotistical teams that I have played for. And the guys in our team could really use the strongest support and being able to see this go through, because we all want the same thing, and that's the championship."