Veteran forward Michael Parker is still going strong as he approaches his 40s ¡ª the 39-year-old will celebrate his birthday on Dec. 5 ¡ª and seen by many as ¡°the heart¡± of the Gunma Crane Thunders.

He doesn¡¯t stay on the floor as much as he used to, when he¡¯d average nearly 40 minutes for the Rizing Fukuoka and Shimane Susanoo Magic in the bj-league earlier in his career.

Parker, however, is still playing at a high level and is a core member of the Crane Thunders, who he joined this season on loan from the Chiba Jets Funabashi.