Chandler Parsons says he's the best white American in the NBA

This week, The Undefeated sat down with Chandler Parsons and a small group of white American NBA players. Now I know what you’re thinking, yes there are still white NBA players playing. They covered a wide variety of important topics, from race in the NBA to giving advice to little white boys. Take a look.

First, The Undefeated fills us in on the lack of white American guys—including the guys they interviewed, like Chandler Parsons—in the league.

"According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, the NBA was 74.3 percent black during the 2015-16 season and 81.7 percent were people of color. The study said that the NBA was 18.3 percent white last season, which was 5 percent less than the season before. The league was also a record 22.3 percent international last season.That 18.3 percent of whites in the NBA from TIDES also includes non-Americans such as Europeans, Canadians and Australians of white descent. Entering the 2015-16 season, the NBA had 42 white American-born players. The NBA had its inaugural season 70 years ago with a league full of white players. As of Sunday, there were 43 white Americans on 30 NBA teams with the season starting Tuesday. Eight teams didn’t have a white American player entering last season, while seven teams don’t have one now."

J.J. Redick explained the difference between European White and American White.

"“There is always a distinction between the white European and the white American,” Redick said. “It’s not just a racial thing. It’s a cultural thing that is sort of different. I grew up playing for Boo Williams. I grew up battle rapping in dorm rooms and hotel rooms in AAU [Amateur Athletic Union]. For me, this is kind of normal.”"

Then they get down to the good questions, asking what it likes to be a white American in the NBA.

"Chandler Parsons: We play basketball because we play basketball. We don’t see color when we’re playing basketball. It’s about competing, camaraderie and having the ultimate goal of winning a championship. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing with a bunch of Europeans, black guys, Asian guys, Latin guys. It doesn’t matter, because you guys are all there to do one thing, and that’s playing basketball."

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Then they got down to the touchy subject: racial tension.

"“Has it been hard for you to discuss the racial tension with your African-American teammates and how to react as a team to the playing of the national anthem?”Chandler Parsons: I’m comfortable talking with them because they’re my friends and my teammates. I wouldn’t be uncomfortable talking with them because of the color of their skin. That doesn’t matter to me. I see them every day. I see us as all equal. Kaepernick, I’m all for protests. Each person has their own individual right. I think it’s a good thing to make people aware and to show that we’re not only just athletes, but we’re leaders. Each person has their own individual right to protest. I just hope that doesn’t make teams or sports or different races even more divided."

Here’s where the real fun began, and Parsons’ personality really comes out.

"“Has anyone ever said anything to you racially on the basketball floor?”Chandler Parsons: Being white in the NBA, there are a lot of stereotypes. It’s almost like a joking thing among guys in the league about the stereotypes, whether it’s music or food or the way we dress. It’s just stereotypes that are kind of like an ongoing thing that goes on in the NBA …There’s stuff where people call me, ‘white boy,’ or things like that. Same thing with stereotypes. Obviously, I’m a shooter because I’m white or I’m slow and less athletic because I’m white. But not hate. When I dunk on somebody, it’ll be like, ‘Oh, Chandler Parsons is deceptively athletic.’ Why wouldn’t I just be athletic?”"

But lets be real, Parson is deceptively athletic.

"“Who is the best white American NBA player?”Chandler Parsons: Me, of course."

I’ll let you be the judge of that.

"“Why do you think there aren’t more white American NBA players?”Chandler Parsons: The NBA is a collection of some of the most athletic guys in the world. And white guys just aren’t that athletic."

I can confirm, as a “white boy”, we aren’t that athletic.

The last question The Undefeated asked is probably my favorite one of the bunch and I’m sure you’ll feel the same.

"“What advice would you give to a young white American kid who dreams of playing in the NBA?”Chandler Parsons: Play golf.But seriously, I would tell the same thing to a white kid that I would tell to any kid. ‘If you love basketball, work hard and believe in yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black or whatever.’"

Play golf…..sound advice.

If a sport the requires polos and khakis isn’t for you, young white lads can get a start on practicing their 4-point shot (it’s inevitable, it’s going to happen).

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Chandler Parsons says he’s the best white American in the NBA

By Taylor Buckley | Oct 25, 2016

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