SAN ANTONIO (2010 FIBA World Championship) - San Antonio point guard Tony Parker got a chance to see fellow Frenchman Rodrigue Beaubois play in the NBA for the first time this week when the Spurs took on the Dallas Mavericks.

The 21-year-old Beaubois has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, forcing his way into the Dallas Mavericks’ starting line-up and against the Spurs, the former Cholet star had eight points in 17 minutes.

"It was the first time I saw him play," Parker said.

"Rodrigue is very talented.

"He was aggressive, he had a very good game. He did a good job considering his time."

Beaubois has a shot to make the French team for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Who knows? He could be in the French backcourt alongside Parker in Turkey.

Even before watching Beaubois play, Parker was asked about Beaubois on his website tp9.net.

"He looks very talented,” Parker said. “Good thing for the national team."

As for Parker's injury woes, he wasn't able to play in the game against Dallas because of an ankle sprain.

"On Saturday in the Oklahoma (City) game, (Spurs teammate) Richard Jefferson stepped on my ankle," Parker said.

"I didn’t feel any pain at that moment, but the day after, my ankle had blown up.

"There’s nothing serious but (Spurs coach) Gregg Popovich and I decided not to play versus Dallas.

"There’s no need to come back in a hurry. We would like everything to get back to normal before I come back."

Parker sat out Thursday's game against Utah as well and the Spurs missed their playmaker in a 90-83 defeat.

FIBA