Pau Gasol, the legendary two-time NBA champion and former Los Angeles Lakers player, has been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. Gasol, who played seven seasons with the Lakers and won two championships alongside the late Kobe Bryant, expressed his gratitude to his fans and paid respect to Bryant and his daughter Gianna during the induction ceremony.
Gasol touched many with his heartfelt tribute to Bryant and his daughter, saying, “I wouldn’t be here without you brother. I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here today with us.”
Throughout his 18-year career in the NBA, Gasol played for the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Milwaukee Bucks apart from the Lakers. He was the 2002 Rookie of the Year, becoming the first non-American to win the award.
Born in Barcelona, Spain, Gasol made his entry into professional basketball playing for FC Barcelona’s team before being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks as the third pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Grizzlies on draft night.
Gasol was acquired by the Lakers in a significant 2008 trade that sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol, Pau’s younger brother, and two first-round draft picks to Memphis.
An important part of the Spain national basketball team, Gasol has had a decorated international career, winning two silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, a gold medal at the 2006 Basketball World Cup, and three gold medals in the EuroBasket tournament.
The Lakers retired his number 16 jersey this past March, making him the 12th Lakers player to receive this honor. His induction into the NBA Hall of Fame is a testament to his incredible career and contribution to the sport.