How NBA legend helped shape NBL superstar’s wild journey... and the one prize still missing

Parker Jackson-Cartwright's basketball journey has taken him all over the world, but perhaps one of the more unique stops saw the New Zealand Breakers superstar spending part of his summer at NBA legend Tony Parker's house in San Antonio.

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It came after Jackson-Cartwright had established himself as one of the best guards in Europe, with Parker, a four-time NBA champion and majority owner of French powerhouse ASVEL, playing a key role in bringing him to the EuroLeague club.

"Asvel, you know, obviously they're at the pinnacle in the French league. There's a lot of history. Tony Parker takes over and, you know, he has a vision for that club and he brought me in. I spent time with him that summer at his house in San Antonio. And we built a connection.

"His brother was the coach of the team. So a lot of things were going on."

Jackson-Cartwright would eventually mutually part ways with ASVEL after 15 Euro League appearances and another 14 at the LNB Pro A domestic level, but it was another chapter in a basketball journey that has taken the 31-year-old across the globe and eventually to the NBL.

"Asvel was a great experience. At the end of the day, it didn't work out the way I wanted it to that season. But I took a lot from that experience being around high level players and people. Euro league is a massive jump in Europe." Jackson-Cartwright said

Now in his fourth season with the Breakers and with 87 NBL games to his name, Jackson-Cartwright has established himself as one of the competition's premier point guards.

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But long before he became a star in New Zealand, his journey began at one of college basketball's biggest programs.

Jackson-Cartwright spent four years at Arizona between 2014 and 2018, suiting up in 134 games and starting 51. In his senior season, he averaged 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 32.0 minutes per game.

During those four years, he shared the court with some familiar names, including NBA stars Lauri Markkanen and Deandre Ayton, former NBA veteran Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and current Cairns Taipans star Keanu Pinder.

It was his relationship with Pinder, however, that developed into something much bigger than basketball.

"Yeah, I mean when you're there a long time you see, especially at a big school like Arizona, you play with a lot of big names a lot of guys who are gonna be there one year or two or three years and you build connections.

"I played with some NBA guys for four-year, Keanu Pinder was a fellow teammate of mine he is like a brother to me so it was a fun time experience there." he said.

While Arizona gave Jackson-Cartwright his foundation, his professional career would take a far less conventional path.

After being selected by Raptors 905 in the 2018 NBA G League Draft, a tibial stress fracture ultimately resulted in him being cut. Instead, his first professional opportunity came thousands of kilometres away with Cheshire Phoenix in Britain.

"As a professional, my first professional gig. I was actually coming off of an injury, a major injury, my tibial stress fracture.

"You know, that opportunity arose and I just went with it. And honestly, that was the best start that I could have had to my career."

That opportunity became the beginning of a journey through European basketball.

After a solid season in the United Kingdom, Jackson-Cartwright moved to France, signing with Saint-Quentin in the LNB Pro B, where he played alongside future New Zealand Breaker Hugo Besson.

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But his time in France was anything but straightforward.

"That season it was a roller coaster. because it didn't start well for me. And really the jump from Britain to second division France was really large at that time.

"And I didn't do well at first, but then kind of found my footing and ended up winning MVP. And we were the best team in the league that season. So, you know, have a lot of people to thank for that." he said

Jackson-Cartwright completely turned his season around, eventually claiming MVP honours after averaging 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 53.1% from the field.

He was suddenly an MVP in France with his career trending upwards, but the next challenge was unlike anything he had experienced before.

Covid hit as Jackson-Cartwright prepared for the next stage of his career, with the guard eventually signing with Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany. During an uncertain period both on and off the court, he leaned heavily on those closest to him.

"I just leaned on my family, my support system, and just tried to get through it.

"I mean, it wasn't the first form of adversity I have had in my life. So I got through it and I'm thankful that I stayed and it worked out for the best."

His career continued to climb in Germany, eventually producing what Jackson-Cartwright still considers one of the best seasons of his professional career.

"Yeah, that season was one of my favourites, just all around lifestyle, basketball, probably the best season I've had in my career up until this point.

"I've had some good seasons, but that one sticks out the most and Germany is just a great place. Bayern was an amazing city, a true basketball city, great fans, great people. So I always got love for that city and that team, that club."

Jackson-Cartwright walked away with another MVP award after averaging 19.3 points, 7.4 assists and 2.0 steals, including a 41-point performance against current Cairns Taipans import Jaylon Brown.

That success ultimately opened the door to ASVEL, the EuroLeague and his connection with Parker before his career eventually brought him to New Zealand.

Years later, Jackson-Cartwright has found a home.

Now in his fourth NBL season, the 31-year-old has added an NBL Ignite Cup championship and First and Second All-NBL Team honours to his resume, while establishing himself among the league's biggest names alongside the likes of Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis.

But despite everything he has achieved across the globe, there is still one major box Jackson-Cartwright wants to tick.

An NBL championship with the Breakers.

"I love being a Breaker. I love this club. So I definitely want to see success in this club for myself as well as just the club in itself.

"I think we have the team this season, you know, what you do in the pre-season and how you build throughout the season is going to be telling.

"So I've had some success, but now I want to put it together and really reach the height of the NBL."