The Los Angeles Lakers reported this Wednesday that the number 16 of the Spanish Pau Gasol, one of the glories of the Los Angeles franchise, will be retired in a ceremony organized on March 7, 2023.
"A champion, a legend and part of the Lakers family forever. 7/3/23 - We will raise Pau Gasol's jersey to the roof," reads the note released by the Lakers.
Pau Gasol, 42, played for the Lakers from 2008 to 2014 and was a two-time NBA champion.
The Spanish center played 18 seasons in the NBA, with the Memphis Grizzlies, Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers.
In the regular season, Gasol played 1,226 games in the NBA (1,150 of them as a starter) and averaged 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.
In the postseason, the Spaniard played 136 games (122 starting from the starting lineup) and averaged 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 blocks.
These figures over 18 seasons place him among the best European players in NBA history along with other very prominent names such as Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Drazen Petrovic or Arvydas Sabonis.
But beyond the numbers, Gasol has also left his mark on the NBA for unforgettable moments such as his eternal friendship with the late Kobe Bryant or the memorable opening jump against his brother Marc in the 2015 All-Star game.
