On Friday, Pau Gasol was announced as a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame finalist, with an expected induction later this year. His induction will be part of a class that includes his rivals, Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, and San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. Gasol was present at the Hall of Fame finalists announcement ceremony in Salt Lake City during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Gasol’s legacy in the NBA began when he was acquired by Memphis in a trade that brought Kobe Bryant a second championship with the Lakers. After that, Gasol went on to win two consecutive NBA titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. He was also present at Kobe Bryant’s posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Gasol’s career was marked by impressive stats, averaging 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 1,226 games. He was selected to six All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams, in addition to his distinguished international career for Spain. Earlier this season, the Lakers announced that they would be retiring Gasol’s jersey number on March 7.
Pau Gasol’s induction into the Hall of Fame will be a celebration of his incredible career in the NBA and his contributions to the Lakers’ dynasty. His induction is well deserved and will be remembered for years to come.