Marc Gasol i Saez is a professional basketball player from Spain, who plays as a center. The younger brother of Pau Gasol, an established star in the NBA, Marc Gasol began his childhood in Barcelona, before moving to Memphis Tennessee where his brother had gotten picked by the Memphis Grizzlies, during the 2001 NBA Draft. This not only gave Marc Gasol a chance to come to the United States of America, he also got to play in the American school system, while at Lausanne Collegiate School.
Gasol decided to opt for a similar route, as his brother, in pursuit of a professional basketball career. Born in Europe, Pau began his playing career in Europe, while Marc had an option to play in the USA. However, the Spaniard returned to his roots and joined FC Barcelona, in 2004, in the Liga ACB, before playing for Akasvayu Girona, in 2006. After spending 2007 with Girona, Pau decided to declare for the NBA Draft and was picked at 48th overall, by the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Born | 29 Jan 1985 |
| Nationality |
Spain
|
| Nickname | Big Spain |
| Team History | |
Los Angeles Lakers
|
2020 - 2021 |
Toronto Raptors
|
2019 - 2020 |
Memphis Grizzlies
|
2008 - 2019 |
He was traded out to the Memphis Grizzlies on draft night, in a deal that saw his brother move to Los Angeles. Gasol began his rookie season well, playing 30.7 minutes per game on his way to scoring 11.9 points and grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game. He had 1.1 blocks as well as 1.7 assists per game in 2008-09.
At the international level, Gasol had been a part of the Spanish team at the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan, where Spain won the Gold Medal as well as at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning the Silver medal for his team. Gasol was also part of the 2007 and 2009 FIBA European Championships held in Spain and Poland respectively. He helped the team win the Gold in Poland after narrowly missing out, on home court, with a Silver medal.
In the 2010 to 2011 Season, Gasol helped the Grizzlies beat the San Antonio Spurs and faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. In the next season, he was chosen for the NBA All-Star Game and the Grizzlies were able to reach the 2012 NBA Playoffs again.
The next season saw Gasol recording three double-doubles. He also got the nod to become a part of the NBA All-Star for the first time in his career. While the team made the playoffs, they lost to the Lost Angeles Clippers in the first round.
During the 2012 to 2013 Season, Gasol became the first European player to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. He also recorded the highest total assists for all centers for the season at 318 assists.
Due to a knee injury, Gasol was sidelined for much of the 2014 to 2014 Season. He came back strong next season and was named one of the top MVP contenders and was selected for his first All-NBA First Team. He signed with the Grizzlies again in the 2015 to 2016 Season where he became the Top Four player on the franchise’s all-time scoring list at 7,801 points.
In the 2016 to 2017 Season, Gasol set a new career milestone by making 42 points in a victory over the Toronto Raptors. In March 2017, he recorded 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists – his third career triple double. He went over 10,000 career points in the next season. Gasol also recorded the most games started in franchise history on February 2018, where he played his 700th career NBA game.
Career Accomplishments:• Silver medalist, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games – representing Spain• Silver medalist, 2012 London Olympic Games – representing Spain• Gold medalist, 2006 Japan World Cup – representing Spain• Gold medalist, 2009 Poland Eurobasket – representing Spain• Gold medalist, 2011 Lithuania Eurobasket – representing Spain• Silver medalist, 2007 Spain Eurobasket – representing Spain • Bronze medalist, 2013 Slovenia Eurobasket – representing Spain• Bronze medalist, 2017 Turkey Eurobasket – representing Spain• 3-time NBA All-Star (2012, 2015, 2017)• NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2013)• All-NBA First Team (2015)• All-NBA Second Team (2013)• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2013)• NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2009)• Euroscar Player of the Year (2014)• Spanish League champion (2004)• Spanish League MVP (2008)• All-Spanish League Team (2008)
