Parker Named European Player Of The Year

ROME (AFP) — Frenchman Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs was Friday named European Player of the Year for 2007.

The award is given by Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, which named Parker as its 29th winner, succeeding Germany's Dirk Nowitzki, winner for the previous five years.

Point guard Parker finished with 128 points to 111 for Dallas Mavericks forward Nowitzki with Russia's Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz third on 85 points.

The jury is made up of 100 writers, coaches and players from 28 different countries.

In the women's category Latvia's Aneta Jekabsone beat Belgium's Ann Wauters to the title with last year's winner Maria Stepanova of Russia in third.