Wishing his “older brother” Kobe Bryant might be there by his facet, Pau Gasol lastly put an finish to a basketball profession that went “way beyond my dreams and expectations.”
Gasol introduced his retirement from basketball on Tuesday after a profession that lasted greater than twenty years and earned him two NBA titles and a world championship gold with Spain’s nationwide crew.
Gasol had already introduced his farewell from worldwide basketball in August after Spain misplaced to the United States within the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Games, which marked his fifth Olympics.
Querido baloncesto, gracias por todo.
Dear basketball, thanks for all the things.
Estimat bàsquet, gràcies per tot.
❤️🏀 pic.twitter.com/I6TemPrA5T
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) October 5, 2021
Gasol had been with Spanish membership Barcelona since February. His profession had stalled earlier than that as a result of a left-foot harm that lingered and stored him from taking part in for almost two years.
Gasol received two NBA titles with the Lakers, in 2009 and 2010, and averaged 17 factors and 9.2 rebounds in 1,226 regular-season video games with 5 NBA groups, taking part in as a middle and energy ahead. His different groups have been the Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks. He was the No. 3 choose within the 2001 NBA draft, being chosen by Atlanta and traded to Memphis.
Gasol final performed within the NBA with the Bucks in 2019. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers that yr however by no means acquired to play.
Gasol received a world championship title with Spain in 2006, along with European titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015.He helped Spain win Olympic silver medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London, in addition to a bronze in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.