WITH Pau Gasol he no longer had many peaks to conquer in a career. legend in the world Basketballhowever, it crowned a new and impressive peak with its entry to the market this Saturday. Hall of FameA milestone that no Spanish player has yet accomplished.

Hailing from Sant Boi, the hero joins coaches Pedro Ferrándiz and Antonio Díaz-Miguel as the only Spaniard to make his mark. Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

To the mecca of baskets, the city Springfield (Massachusetts, USA) James Naismith created the sport in 1891 as a youth winter pastime, joined by Gasol, praised by the global basketball community, and surrendering to his achievements on and off the court.

“This is a testament to the support, guidance and inspiration that many people have given me during my basketball journey.”said the Catalan in a speech at Springfield’s Symphony Hall.

with his whole family Gasol (including his brother Marc), wearing a dark suit and visibly emotional, was inducted into the Hall of Fame by a legend like Toni Kukoc.

The other host was to be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but the legendary Los Angeles Lakers player was unable to attend the ceremony due to health issues.

Gasol examined each and every one of the support he had received over the years in order to reach the pinnacle of basketball and live such a dream night.

Many people have contributed to my being here today, but no one has done this like my family.” thank your parents for introducing him to the world of basketball and supporting him from his first steps by taking him to training.

There was also a very affectionate note for his brother, Marc, who made the irony of saying that they were the only brothers traded in the NBA (Pau went to the Lakers in an operation that took Marc to the Memphis Grizzlies).

Thus, Pau underlined his pride in the achievements he shared with Marc on the Spanish team, and recalled one of the “most special” days in his NBA career: the first leap he measured as his brother in the 2015 All-Star. The iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.

souvenir kobe

Double NBA champion with the LakersGasol left with a transfer that changed his “career” and “life”. most emotional moment the speech he gave when talking about the losses Kobe Bryant, with whom he formed an unforgettable duo in the purple and gold series.

“There, I had the opportunity to meet the person who raised my game like no one else, taught me what it took to win at the highest level, showed me how hard I had to work and the mentality I had to have to be a leader.” the best,” he claimed.

“I wouldn’t be here without you, bro. There’s nothing I’d rather have you and Gigi (whose daughter is deceased) between us today. I miss you and I love you,” he added in front of an auditorium, where Kobe was in the audience, with Vanessa in the audience. his widow Bryant.

Gasol also remembered his best friend, the Spanish team (“family”). Juan Carlos Navarro (“a special player with a special ability”), How did seeing the “Dream Team” inspire him? Pioneering European players who dared to cross the Atlantic to play at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and the NBA were frenetic and reckless with little chance of success.

Gasol mentioned a few of these adventurers, for example Dražen Petrovic or Arvydas Sabonisbut this list started with a very specific name: the name of Fernando Martín, the first Spaniard to set foot on the NBA pitch.

An unforgettable 2023 for Gasol

Gasol, 43, has had an extraordinary 2023 filled with emotions since it happened just five months after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Lakers will retire their number 16 jersey.

On a magnificent night for European basketball, Gasol was inducted into the Hall of Fame along with the German basketball player. Dirk Nowitzkme and french Tony ParkerThree key figures in the internationalization of the NBA and the ‘godfathers’ of the current generation of Europeans (Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo…) who are sweeping the basketball elite.

The Spanish forward was one of the Europeans to smash previously seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the NBA, and was, for example, the first non-American player to be named rookie of the year in the best league on the planet.

Gasol also shared this night. other famous honors as basketball Dwyane Wade, Becky Hammon or Gregg Popovich.

A six-time NBA All-Star, Gasol’s stellar career cannot be fully understood without his spectacular and exciting career with the Spanish team winning the 2006 World Cup, 2009, 2011 and 2015 Eurobaskets and three medals. bronze at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and Rio 2016).

For Gasol, whose name is already in the Hall of Fame, this unforgettable day is also Party at the top of the NBA With names in capital letters from the past and present of the league, such as Tim Duncan, Ray Allen, Jayson Tatum, Steve Nash, Pat Riley, Allen Iverson or Argentina’s Manu Ginóbili.