View full sizeAnthony Parker started 197 games for the Cavaliers after joining the team before the 2009-10 season. He averaged 9.1 points per game in his nine seasons in the NBA.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As expected, veteran Cavaliers shooting guard Anthony Parker, 37, has decided to retire after a nine-year career in the NBA, the last three with Cleveland.
Parker averaged 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 51 games last season. More importantly, he provided leadership in the locker room, where he served as a mentor for youngsters Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.
At the end of the season, Parker told reporters he was undecided about his future.
"I wanted to make that decision after the season and make sure that is what I wanted to do," he said in an email. "I'm at peace with it and excited for whatever the future has for me."
Parker, who was a first-round draft choice by New Jersey in 1997, the 21st pick overall out of Bradley, also played with Philadelphia, Orlando and Toronto in the NBA, and was a huge star in Israel, where he played for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He wore No. 18 because it is the symbol associated with life and success in the Jewish faith.
Parker would like to remain involved in the league either through broadcasting or in a front-office role.
"Everything is on the table, so we'll see," he said in the email.
Battle for Ohio: A host of local and state basketball stars will take part The Battle for Ohio charity basketball game at noon on July 7 in St. John Arena in Columbus.
Although player participation is subject to change, Ohio State alum and NBA veteran Brad Sellers, who is the mayor of Warrensville Heights, and Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman will join Buckeye legends and Ohio State alums Clark Kellogg and Ron Stokes as honorary coaches of Team Cleveland and Team Columbus, respectively.
Former Buckeyes Brian Brown, Terence Dials, Jon Diebler, Ivan Harris, George Reese, Damon Stringer and J.J. Sullinger will join Scoonie Penn, Evan Turner and Columbus native Samaki Walker on Team Columbus. Former Buckeyes and Cleveland natives David Lighty, Dallas Lauderdale, Tony Stockman and Damon Stringer, as well as Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and former Cav Jawad Williams will be joined by Sam Clancy, Julius Juby Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Dru Joyce, Chet Mason, Keith McLeod and Romeo Travis on Team Cleveland.
General admission tickets are $15, $10 for OSU alumni and all area college students with a valid student ID and groups of 10 or more and $5 for children 10 years or under. Tickets can be purchased ohiohomecoming.com/col200 and will be available at the St. Johns Arena box office the day of the game.
Proceeds will include a $5,000 charitable donation from Ohio Homecoming on the winning team's behalf. Team Columbus will play for the Ohio State Athletics' LiFE Sports Initiative and Team Cleveland represents the Greater Cleveland Fisher House Wounded Warriors program.
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