Breaking news in the basketball world as 13-year NBA veteran and 2019 champion Marc Gasol has officially announced his retirement at 39 years old.
After 20 professional seasons and 13 in NBA, Marc Gasol has retired from basketball. He played for Grizzlies, Raptors and Lakers, winning the 2019 NBA title in Toronto, making three All-Star teams and one All-NBA team. Memphis plans to retire his No. 33 jersey. pic.twitter.com/vGC8DbyxUt
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 31, 2024
In his 13-year NBA career, Gasol, brother of Hall of Famer Pau Gasol, averaged 14 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Gasol was most known as an anchor of the “Grit and Grind” Memphis Grizzlies, whom he played for from 2008 to 2019. With the Grizzlies, Gasol became a three-time NBA All-Star and won the 2012-13 Defensive Player of the Year award. Furthermore, Gasol was selected to two All-NBA Teams with Memphis. Additionally, Gasol also played for the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers. Gasol won his only championship in his first season with the Raptors in 2019.
In November 2021, Gasol started playing for his club, Bàsquet Girona, of the LEB Oro.
NBA News: Former NBA Champion Announces Retirement
Gasol’s Basketball Impact
After the Grizzlies traded Gasol to the Raptors, Grizzlies owner Robert Pera talked about how much Gasol meant to the franchise:
He plays with a heart and a passion for the game that helped carry this franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, but what Marc has done for this organization is about more than just basketball. He was a part of a core group of players that helped shape the identity of this franchise on and off the court and were embraced by the City of Memphis.
In addition to his impressive NBA career, the Spain native made a name playing overseas:
The 39-year-old center started his career at hometown team Barcelona in 2003, winning a league title in his debut season.
Gasol went to CB Girona and propelled his career forward by triumphing in the World Cup with Spain in 2006 and again in 2019, as well as winning European Championships in 2009 and 2011.
Will Marc Gasol Make the Hall of Fame Post-Retirement?
According to Pro Basketball Reference, Gasol has a 4.2% chance of getting inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. However, the site does not factor in non-NBA stats and accolades.
Congrats to Marc Gasol on a Hall of Fame Career.
As a Grizz:
-Most All-Star appearances by a Grizz player (3)
-Most All-NBA Selections by Grizz Player (2)
-First Grizz to start an All-Star Game
-First Grizz to win DPOY (2012-2013)
-Only Grizz to make All-NBA First Team https://t.co/tcOQ6hlYl3— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) January 31, 2024
Gasol certainly has a case for the Hall of Fame once he becomes eligible in 2025. His NBA accolades alone may not be enough to put him there. However, his impact on the game internationally should get him in. Ultimately, Gasol is one of the most successful international basketball players in the sport’s history. He may not be a first-ballot selection like his brother. However, it would not be surprising to see the younger Gasol follow in his footsteps and become a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
