May 25, 2021Updated: May 25, 2021 10:45a.m.

According to Gregorgy Chochon, director of the World Series of Poker for Caesars Entertainment, Tony Parker is the first qualified player for the World Series of Poker Main Event.

Former Spurs player Tony Parker is going all in and will be part of the 2021 schedule for the World Series of Poker's Main Event in Las Vegas.

According to Gregorgy Chochon, director of the World Series of Poker for Caesars Entertainment, the French basketball legend is the first qualified player for the World Series of Poker Main Event.

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The competition, which dates back to 1970, is returning to an in-person event this year at the Rio Hotel and Casino Nov. 4-17.

In January, Parker won The PM Group's Texas Hold Em Charity Poker. The local group said the win "catapulted Tony to worldwide poker fame" and earned him an invitation to the big time, $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold 'Em event.

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"He is very excited to play the Main Event for the first time," Chochon said."Because of his career, he never had the time to participate but he is ready for the challenge. We always promote poker as a sport, so Tony's qualification is great news!"

Madalyn Mendoza is a proud Alamo City native. Keep up with her work and puro San Antonio happenings on Twitter, @MaddySkye.

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Spurs legend Tony Parker is 'very excited' to be the first qualified player for WSOP Main Event - mySA