One of the greatest players in Memphis Grizzlies history is finally bidding us a good evening.
Former NBA center Marc Gasol announced in a video on his X page on Wednesday that he is officially retiring from basketball. Gasol called it the “end of a chapter.”
Now 39 years old, Gasol was one of the best NBA second-round picks of all time, racking up many accolades during his time in the league from 2008-21.
He was a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA choice and Defensive Player of the Year winner with the Grizzlies before going on to win an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019.
At his peak, Gasol, who finished with NBA career averages of 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, had an argument for the best all-around center in the game.
Gasol is also an icon in his native Spain. After last suiting up in the NBA in 2021, Gasol spent two more seasons in his home country playing for Basquet Girona.
On top of that, Gasol was a stud on the international stage, helping lead Spain to two Olympic silver medals, two FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medals and two EuroBasket titles. He now serves as the president of Basquet Girona (having founded the club in 2014).
Shams Charania of The Athletic notes that the Grizzlies plan to retire Gasol’s No. 33 jersey. That is a well-deserved honor for a player who was a bedrock of their famous “Grit and Grind” era and helped give Memphis some of their best basketball moments ever.
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