Barcelona – Spanish basketball nice Pau Gasol introduced on Tuesday that he’s retiring from the game after a 23-year profession.
“I’m right here to inform you that I’m going to retire from skilled basketball. It’s a tough resolution after so a few years nevertheless it’s a choice I’ve taken fastidiously,” Gasol, 41, informed a information convention at Barcelona’s Liceu theater.
Gasol, who stands at 215 cm, made his skilled debut in 1998 with Barca as a middle earlier than being signed by the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies in 2001.
He received NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 whereas being chosen within the All-Star group on six events.
Gasol later performed for Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs and had a quick stint with Milwaukee Bucks plus 4 months at Portland Path Blazers, the place harm prevented him enjoying.
He returned to Barcelona earlier this 12 months, serving to his boyhood membership finish a seven-year wait to win the Spanish championship in June.
Gasol was a talisman for Spain, serving to them win the Olympic silver medal on the 2008 and 2012 Video games plus bronze in 2016.
He recovered from nearly two years out injured to compete on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo — what can be his ultimate worldwide match — the place Spain misplaced within the quarterfinals to america.
Gasol started the information convention by detailing his battle to beat a stress fracture he suffered in his left foot in 2019.
“Not many docs thought I’d be capable of recuperate however I’m an individual who likes challenges and I needed to struggle to do the inconceivable,” he mentioned.
“I acquired to the purpose the place I used to be relaxed about my profession ending, I used to be at peace. However when issues went properly I took the choice to signal for Barcelona which wasn’t in my plans. However I managed to win the league with the membership the place all of it started and the place I made my debut. It’s been very particular.”
Gasol additionally paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, his outdated Lakers teammate who died in a helicopter accident in January 2020.
“I’d have favored him to have been right here at this time however typically life is unfair,” Gasol added.
“He taught me to a greater competitor, an actual winner, I thought-about him like an older brother.”
In a time of each misinformation and an excessive amount of data, high quality journalism is extra essential than ever.
By subscribing, you’ll be able to assist us get the story proper.
PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
