Pau Gasol

Ahead of his big night, catch all the stories leading up to Pau Gasol's jersey retirement for the Lakers, his relationship with Kobe Bryant and his work ...

I think it’s the highlight of my life, this moment that we’re about to experience,” Gasol told FOX Sports on Monday at a Gasol Foundation event to reduce childhood obesity. The jersey will hang in part because of that, but it’s impossible to fully appreciate without seeing it up close and personal. On Monday, after spending two hours conducting one-on-one interviews with Spanish media members, Gasol strode into the purple-and-gold decked gym of the Lafayette Recreation Center, a 2-mile shot from the Lakers’ home court. Here’s a look at some of the notable ones. And then obviously not having him here with us, it’s tough.” But he was the perfect addition at the time for Kobe. “It’s impossible [to separate],” Gasol said, wiping away tears on that night in late January. It’s a day that will certainly be filled with even more emotions than is standard on a day as ceremonious as a jersey retirement. “It’s inevitable. I don’t think he ever would’ve gotten the accolades that he received as a player if he stayed in the small market like he did in Memphis. He would’ve been a great player. [up to his retirement ceremony](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/10/5/22710921/lakers-retire-pau-gasol-jersey-retirement-nba-hall-fame), there have been plenty of stories about Pau, his time in Los Angeles and his career as a whole.

The Lakers will retire Pau Gasol's jersey alongside the likes of Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the rafters of Crypto.com Arena.

[$225.4 million](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolpa01.html) in contracts during his NBA career, over half of which he made with the Lakers. Gasol's jersey will be the 14th number the Lakers have retired in franchise history. 6 was retired by every team in the NBA before the 2022-23 season. In 2021, [HoopsHype ranked](https://hoopshype.com/lists/75-greatest-international-players-ever-the-hoopshype-list/) the Spaniard as the fifth-best international player of all time, trailing only Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steve Nash. Viewers in the United States can also stream it on Sling TV. Are they going to match the physicality of the other team or are they going to be a step behind? and U.K.](https://www.nba.com/watch/league-pass-stream?cid=nba:ilp:partner:affiliate:othaff:display:eg:acq:sub:t-gpm:Global20:global:u-en:) Over six playoff runs, he averaged 16.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. While Kobe Bryant led the way in scoring with 23 points, Gasol finished with 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two blocks. [All other countries ](https://www.nba.com/watch/league-pass-stream?cid=nba:ilp:partner:affiliate:othaff:display:eg:acq:sub:t-gpm:Generic:global:u-en) Gasol was already a one-time All-Star when the Lakers traded for him. While Gasol had the most productive stretch of his career with the Lakers, he established himself as one of the best big men in the NBA as a member of the Grizzlies.

Longtime Los Angeles Lakers power forward/center Pau Gasol is having a big 2023 in the basketball world, despite having not played in an NBA game since 2019 ...

Vanessa Bryant went to the Los Angeles Lakers' arena on Tuesday for the first time since the Feb. 2020 memorial service for Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

They were so full of joy and adventure," Vanessa told the packed arena. Forever and always, Mommy." We love you both and miss you. He challenged me to be better with his actions and with his work. and Koko. And then obviously not having him here with us, it's tough." They were funny, happy, silly, and they loved life. "They were so easy to love. May you both rest in peace and have fun in Heaven until we meet again one day. ... My number goes up there, in big reason, because of him." "It's inevitable. [ shared on the NBA's Twitter account](https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1633285308736258049), he shared: "He definitely inspired me and showed me what it took to be the best player that you could be.

Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol joins Lakers' folklore as his No. 16 jersey heads into the rafters at Crypto.com Arena.

[#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/RDIN0M3rzw] [March 8, 2023] [#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/3DbzcxdM3i] [March 8, 2023] [#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/GzMQHfzHz9] [March 8, 2023] [#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/qTl7gXoGLb] [March 8, 2023] Much deserved, Hall-of-Fame coming soon," Butler said. [All other countries](https://nba.sjv.io/c/2436205/1490605/16284?sharedid=NBASection) and U.K.](https://nba.sjv.io/c/2436205/1490605/16284?sharedid=OutsideNBA) "I'm here because of Pau, obviously! [pic.twitter.com/fHeEUuCElv] [March 8, 2023] [pic.twitter.com/eMoJEpE7C0] [March 8, 2023] [13th jersey to be retired](https://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers-retired-numbers/) by the Lakers, joining his former teammate Kobe Bryant, who had both his No. 3 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.

Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol joins Lakers' folklore as his No. 16 jersey heads into the rafters at Crypto.com Arena.

[#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/RDIN0M3rzw] [March 8, 2023] [#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/3DbzcxdM3i] [March 8, 2023] [#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/GzMQHfzHz9] [March 8, 2023] [#GraciasPau] [pic.twitter.com/qTl7gXoGLb] [March 8, 2023] Much deserved, Hall-of-Fame coming soon," Butler said. [All other countries](https://nba.sjv.io/c/2436205/1490605/16284?sharedid=NBASection) and U.K.](https://nba.sjv.io/c/2436205/1490605/16284?sharedid=OutsideNBA) "I'm here because of Pau, obviously! [pic.twitter.com/fHeEUuCElv] [March 8, 2023] [pic.twitter.com/eMoJEpE7C0] [March 8, 2023] [13th jersey to be retired](https://www.nba.com/lakers/history/lakers-retired-numbers/) by the Lakers, joining his former teammate Kobe Bryant, who had both his No. 3 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Pau Gasol joined the Los Angeles Lakers just over 15 years ago, the Spanish 7-footer banished his ego, redoubled his work ethi...

It’s been great to see the game grow globally.” “I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the top three players in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. “I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you,” Gasol said. Gasol choked up while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wiping tears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd. The team scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies. 8 and late-career No. Gasol made three of his six career All-Star teams during his time with Los Angeles while averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Just push yourself every day to be the best that you can be.” “It means so much, and obviously with Kobe up there, it just adds something meaningful and powerful and sad and happy and painful and joyful. It’s great. The Lakers retired Gasol’s No.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant may be gone from this world, but he had one final message for his brother and good friend Pau Gasol.

“I miss him a lot,” Gasol said before the event. Prior to the jersey retirement ceremony, the Spain international shared why there is a [“sense of loss”](https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-pau-gasol-dishes-excitement-ahead-of-la-jersey-retirement-ceremony) and sadness on the day. But on the other end, there’s a bittersweet feeling to see his number beside Kobe’s no.

Pau Gasol honored Kobe Bryant repeatedly on Tuesday night as his jersey went up at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers retired Pau Gasol's No. 16 on Tuesday night. During the ceremony, he paid tribute to longtime teammate and friend Kobe Bryant.

He remained with Los Angeles through the end of the 2013-14 season, and along with Bryant he helped power the Lakers to back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. And he was looking forward to this moment." "I can't go on without talking about the person and the face that I don't see.

A choked-up Pau Gasol has his No. 16 Lakers jersey retired to the rafters next to Kobe Bryant's No. 24 during a ceremony Tuesday night.

He withstood Bryant flattening him in the 2008 Olympics, and then mocking him by placing the U.S. The trade was famously vetoed, but Gasol was deeply wounded, and played three more nondescript Lakers seasons before leaving as a free agent. It was Gasol who helped keep Bryant in a Lakers uniform for the rest of his career. Gasol endured Bryant harassing him during the 2008 Finals in which he was bullied by Kevin Garnett. Gasol was a star in Memphis but he wasn’t a champion. He had a reputation for getting pushed around in the paint. “When he retires, he’ll have his number in the rafters,” Bryant said of Gasol on the video. It was Gasol who helped the Lakers once again become the Lakers. Gasol didn’t stonewall, he sponged. He worked with Gasol in a way that he never could work with Shaquille O’Neal. It was a relationship that enhanced a superstar and saved a dynasty. Standing at center court in a suit and two championship rings, Gasol wept.

When Pau Gasol joined the Los Angeles Lakers just over 15 years ago, the Spanish 7-footer banished his ego, redoubled his work ethic and immediately turned ...

It’s been great to see the game grow globally.” “I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the top three players in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. “I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you,” Gasol said. Gasol choked up while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wiping tears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd. Gasol made three of his six career All-Star teams during his time with Los Angeles while averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

With his original team (the Memphis Grizzlies) in town, the Lakers retired the No. 16 jersey of team legend Pau Gasol, who played six and a half seasons in Los ...

With his original team (the [Memphis Grizzlies](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MEM/memphis-grizzlies/)) in town, the Lakers retired the No. [Marc Gasol](/nba/players/1231870/marc-gasol/), Pau's brother who was part of the trade that got the elder Gasol to Los Angeles, was also in the building. Considering their status as a 17-time champion, entering that club is one of the great honors an NBA player can receive. Former teammate [Jimmy Butler](/nba/players/1646703/jimmy-butler/), who currently plays for the [Miami Heat](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIA/miami-heat/) and has a home game tomorrow night, flew to Los Angeles to celebrate Gasol. Sadly, one of Gasol's favorite teammates and the leader of those two Lakers championship teams was missing. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) are in a critical stretch of their schedule as they attempt to reach the postseason, but on Tuesday, one of the most important nights of the season arrived without having anything to do with what is happening on the court.

The two-time NBA champion holds back tears as his No. 16 jersey is lifted into the rafters.

It’s been great to see the game grow globally.” “I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the top three players in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. “I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you,” Gasol said. Gasol choked up while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wiping tears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd. The team scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers retired Gasol's No. 16 jersey Tuesday night, honoring the genteel big man who spent the best seasons of his 18-year NBA career with Bryant in Los ...

Gasol was only the second Spanish player in NBA history, and he believes his long, successful career contributed to erasing the stereotype of the “soft” European player. It’s been great to see the game grow globally.” “I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. The team scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol made three of his six career All-Star teams during his time with Los Angeles while averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. The Lakers retired Gasol's No.

LOS ANGELES -- Pau Gasol, the perfect complementary player to Kobe Bryant, was paid the best compliment possible by his former team: The Lakers retired his ...

"I love him. "I guess the common denominator is that I provided something valuable to the team to help the team win," Gasol said. "To those who much is given, much is expected, and I'll continue to commit my life to impacting others, to making a difference, on inspiring, to helping others," Gasol said. "I miss him. So, I love you, brother." Ko-be!" Just to be a better man overall." I'm proud to be an uncle to your lovely girls." "There's nothing I can do about it but to love his family. "I'm proud to be your brother. "Pau, when he retires, he will have his number in the rafters next to mine. "I mean life goes by pretty fast, right?

Sadly, one of Gasol's favorite teammates and the leader of those two Lakers championship teams was missing. Laker legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash ...

With his original team (the [Memphis Grizzlies](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MEM/memphis-grizzlies/)) in town, the Lakers retired the No. [Marc Gasol](/nba/players/1231870/marc-gasol/), Pau's brother who was part of the trade that got the elder Gasol to Los Angeles, was also in the building. Considering their status as a 17-time champion, entering that club is one of the great honors an NBA player can receive. Former teammate [Jimmy Butler](/nba/players/1646703/jimmy-butler/), who currently plays for the [Miami Heat](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIA/miami-heat/) and has a home game tomorrow night, flew to Los Angeles to celebrate Gasol. Sadly, one of Gasol's favorite teammates and the leader of those two Lakers championship teams was missing. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) are in a critical stretch of their schedule as they attempt to reach the postseason, but on Tuesday, one of the most important nights of the season arrived without having anything to do with what is happening on the court.

Anthony Davis has 30 points and 22 rebounds as Lakers defeat Memphis and move to the No. 9 spot in the Western Conference.

No. Mayer needed 6 hours, 42 minutes to beat Souza, which is also longer than the record for a clay-court match on the ATP tour. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova, allowing them to separate from the football schools and create their own conference on July 1. 2010 — The top-ranked Connecticut Huskies set an NCAA women’s record by winning their 71st straight game, a 59-44 victory over No. Ertz, who gave birth to a son in August, is not under contract with Angel City and might never play for the team. “So I’m kind of just trying to create a more efficient swing.” is the Pac-12 player of the year](https://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/story/2023-03-07/ucla-jaime-jaquez-jr-is-pac-12-player-of-the-year) [Is the Pac-12 really this bad? The possible season-ending loss of the team’s defensive maestro, Clark, a.k.a. The present? Fittingly, it’ll live directly on the right of Kobe Bryant’s No. And Tuesday, after helping the Lakers win a pair of championships, the curtain dropped on Pau Gasol’s No. Below that an to the left is Shaquille O’Neal’s No.

Pau Gasol's banner was unveiled during a halftime ceremony that began with Bryant's widow, Vanessa, introducing a video featuring the late Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers honored the Spanish big man at halftime of Tuesday's win over his first NBA franchise, the Memphis Grizzlies.

"I'm proud to see that," Gasol said. It's been great to see the game grow globally." Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the top three players in the league: While Gasol and Bryant immediately formed a dominant partnership, Memphis got a package that included Gasol's younger brother, Marc, who went on to have 11 largely excellent seasons with the Grizz. "I'm just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you," Gasol said. Gasol choked up while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wiping tears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd. 8 and late-career No. Gasol made three of his six career All-Star teams during his time with Los Angeles while averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. "I think I've done as good as I could to really embrace it and savor it, but tonight really exceeds any dream or expectation that I've had," Gasol said before the game while wearing one championship ring on each hand. Gasol thanked Vanessa Bryant during his speech: "Love you, sister. Just push yourself every day to be the best that you can be." The Lakers retired Gasol's No.

The Lakers retired Gasol's No. 16 jersey Tuesday night, honoring the genteel big man who spent the best seasons of his 18-year NBA career with Bryant in Los ...

It’s been great to see the game grow globally.” “I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. “I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you,” Gasol said. Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the top three players in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. Gasol choked up while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wiping tears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd. The team scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The former Lakers great had his No. 16 jersey retired alongside his late teammate and friend's No. 24.

Vanessa Bryant participated in the tribute to Pau Gasol and sent him a touching message. In it, she revealed that Kobe Bryant predicted that the Spaniard's ...

I'm looking forward to the day when he gets that tribute and gives the speech in the middle of the court in front of all the fans that have supported him. When Pau retires he will have his number at the top of the pavilion," Kobe said in a video. Pau, Kobe predicted that you and he would be together at the top of the arena.

The number 16 shirt with which the Spanish player won two NBA titles at the Los Angeles Lakers was ceremoniously retired on Tuesday.

In the end, life and sport put you to the test and condition you with adverse moments. He contributed spinal surgeries at children’s hospitals in every city he played for, visited refugees in Iraq and Syria and vowed to donate $1,000 for every point he scored to help typhoon victims in the Philippines. On Monday, he told the children about the first injury that left a mark on his memory. You want to live up to it and you think that maybe, at some point, it would be nice if your name was there, but you don’t let it go to your head,” says Gasol, who was inspired to reach the NBA after watching the US Dream Team that played in Barcelona, his hometown, at the 1992 Olympics. On Monday, Gasol stated that one of his greatest legacies was reversing the notion that European players are technically stylish but are soft on the court compared to Americans. He had come to LA in February 2008 from Memphis, a team that had posted 20 wins for the season. I got to work to win the following season, the 2008-09 season. I’m very proud,” declares the center, who in turn is following in the trailblazing footsteps of others like Drazen Petrovic, Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and, more recently, Dirk Nowitzki, who arrived in American basketball two years before Pau. The jersey retirement took place at halftime during a game between the Lakers and the Grizzlies. The next day, March 7, Gasol joined the gods of the American professional league after he became the 12th Laker to have his jersey retired. Not even as a boy – the son of two doctors, Agustí and Marisa, who used to play on a court near the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona when he was the same age as the kids who now gawp up at him – did he ever dream that he would reach one of the most prominent teams in the NBA, where he played in three NBA finals and won two consecutive championships, in 2009 and 2010. The franchise transferred Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and Aaron McKie (in addition to the rights to his brother, Marc) to the Grizzlies, in order to get Pau, a center who was the first non-American to win the rookie of the year award, in 2002.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When Pau Gasol joined the Los Angeles Lakers just over 15 years ago, the Spanish 7-footer banished his ego, redoubled his work ethi...

It’s been great to see the game grow globally.” “I’m proud to see that,” Gasol said. Gasol noted that three Europeans now are arguably the top three players in the league: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. “I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you,” Gasol said. Gasol choked up while watching the video and standing in that exact spot, wiping tears from his eyes before he spoke to the crowd. The team scheduled the ceremony for halftime of the Lakers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies. 8 and late-career No. Gasol made three of his six career All-Star teams during his time with Los Angeles while averaging 17.7 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Just push yourself every day to be the best that you can be.” “It means so much, and obviously with Kobe up there, it just adds something meaningful and powerful and sad and happy and painful and joyful. It’s great. The Lakers retired Gasol’s No.

Pau Gasol teared up as the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled his jersey in the rafters, right next to Kobe Bryant's, to his former teammate and close friend.

Kobe had previously shared his excitement for Gasol's retirement ceremony, in a clip the NBA shared on Tuesday night. But, I think he'll be proud and he was looking forward to this moment. Gasol then told the crowd at the Crypto.com Arena, "I can't go on without talking about the person and the face that I don't see," referring to his late friend, Kobe. [delivered a heartfelt speech](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPCE3hmISL8) during the ceremony, thanking the Lakers organization and fanbase for the honor. I love him; I wish he was here with Gigi, I really do. Gasol also thanked [Vanessa Bryant](https://people.com/tag/vanessa-bryant/), telling her he loves her and is "proud to be an uncle" to her "lovely girls."

The festivities went down at halftime of the Lakers' game against the Grizzlies ... when L.A. formally retired Pau's No. 16 after he helped Kobe win two NBA ...

As for the game ... tweeting, "A big thumbs up to Laker Owner Jeanie Buss & the entire organization for a tremendous evening honoring Pau Gasol!" where she blew a kiss to Pau, and then played him a clip of Kobe saying back in 2018 that he couldn't wait for the day when the duo's jerseys would hang next to each other in the L.A. A bunch of Kobe and Gasol's former teammates were there ... During his speech, Pau said he missed Kobe dearly ... telling the crowd in attendance, "I love him. The festivities went down at halftime of the Lakers' game against the Grizzlies ... Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujačić and Metta Sandiford-Artest showed up. 16 after he helped Kobe win two NBA championships in his seven seasons in the purple and gold. Magic commended the Lakers for the touching tribute to Gasol ... Vanessa kicked everything off with a pre-recorded video ... Pau Gasol In Tears As Lakers Hang Jersey Next To Kobe Bryant's ...