Career Timeline of Pau Gasol: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pau Gasol made an impact.
Pau Gasol is a retired Spanish professional basketball player, widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards and European players of all time. A six-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection, he won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Gasol was the 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year with the Memphis Grizzlies, the first non-American to receive the honor. He is the older brother of former NBA player Marc Gasol.
1998: Won Albert Schweitzer Tournament and FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
In 1998, Pau Gasol won both the Albert Schweitzer Tournament and the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship with Spain's national under-18 team.
1999: Debut with FC Barcelona Senior Team
On January 17, 1999, Pau Gasol made his debut with the senior team of FC Barcelona.
2001: Spanish National Cup Championship and NBA Draft
In 2001, FC Barcelona won the Spanish National Cup, with Pau Gasol named MVP. He was then drafted third overall in the NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks, who traded his rights to the Vancouver Grizzlies.
2001: EuroBasket tournament and Spanish Sportsman of the Year
In 2001, Gasol's first competition with the senior Spain national basketball team was the EuroBasket tournament, where he won the bronze medal. He was also named the Spanish Sportsman of the Year in 2001.
2002: NBA Rookie of the Year
In 2002, Pau Gasol was named NBA Rookie of the Year with the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first non-American player to receive the honor.
October 31, 2003: 3,000th Career Point
On October 31, 2003, Pau Gasol scored his 3,000th career point against the Boston Celtics.
November 12, 2003: 1,500th Career Rebound
On November 12, 2003, Pau Gasol grabbed his 1,500th career rebound against the Orlando Magic.
2003: Named UNICEF ambassador
In 2003, Pau Gasol was named a UNICEF ambassador and began participating in campaigns, traveling to Africa to support projects.
2004: Received Corazón de Oro
In 2004, Pau Gasol received the Corazón de Oro (Gold Heart) from the Spanish Heart Foundation in recognition of his commitment to solidarity.
2004: Highest-scoring player of the Summer Olympics
In 2004, Pau Gasol was the highest-scoring player of the Summer Olympics.
January 11, 2005: 5,000 Points and 500 Blocks Milestone
On January 11, 2005, Pau Gasol scored 31 points and blocked four shots against the Indiana Pacers, reaching 5,000 points and 500 blocks in his career.
February 9, 2006: Selected for NBA All-Star Game
On February 9, 2006, Pau Gasol was selected to play in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, Texas, as a reserve center for the Western Conference, marking his first appearance and making him the first Spanish basketball player and Grizzlies player to achieve this honor.
2006: MVP of the FIBA World Cup
In 2006, Pau Gasol was named MVP of the FIBA World Cup.
January 24, 2007: Second Career Triple-Double
On January 24, 2007, Pau Gasol recorded his second career triple-double against the Utah Jazz, with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists.
March 7, 2007: Grizzlies All-Time Leading Scorer
On March 7, 2007, Pau Gasol surpassed Shareef Abdur-Rahim to become the Grizzlies' all-time leading scorer, reaching 7,809 points at the time against the Toronto Raptors.
February 1, 2008: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers
On February 1, 2008, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers.
2008: All-Star Appearance as a Laker
During the 2008–09 NBA season, Pau Gasol earned his second All-Star appearance, his first as a Laker.
2008: Joins the Los Angeles Lakers
In 2008, Pau Gasol began playing for the Los Angeles Lakers after being with the Memphis Grizzlies for more than six seasons.
2008: First NBA Finals Appearance
In 2008, Pau Gasol reached the NBA Finals for the first time, with the Lakers facing the Boston Celtics and losing in six games.
January 2, 2009: 10,000th Career Point
On January 2, 2009, Pau Gasol scored his 10,000th career point in a game against the Utah Jazz.
December 24, 2009: Signed Extension with the Lakers
On December 24, 2009, Pau Gasol signed a 3-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $64.7 million.
2009: Joined "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program
In 2009, Pau Gasol joined the "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program with other NBA players to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
2009: MVP of the FIBA EuroBasket
In 2009, Pau Gasol was named MVP of the FIBA EuroBasket.
2009: NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2009, Pau Gasol won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
April 2010: Scheduled to observe spinal surgery
In April 2010, Pau Gasol was scheduled to sit in on a spinal surgery with Dr. David Skaggs, but cancelled due to a fever.
June 2010: Observed spinal surgery
In June 2010, Pau Gasol observed Dr. David Skaggs lead a team operating on a 13-year-old girl from Colorado with scoliosis.
December 2010: Participated in We Are Bigger Than Aids campaign
In December 2010, Pau Gasol participated in We Are Bigger Than Aids, a campaign against the HIV virus, along with other NBA stars.
2010: Received Charitable Athlete Prize
In 2010, Pau Gasol received the Charitable Athlete Prize from the Fundación SOS for his work in support of infant survival and children's rights, and his campaigns against malnutrition in the Horn of Africa.
2010: Second NBA Championship with the Lakers
In 2010, Pau Gasol secured his second consecutive NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
March 2012: Named Co-Captain of the Lakers
In March 2012, Pau Gasol became co-captain of the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant after Derek Fisher was traded.
November 18, 2012: Scored 15,000th career point
On November 18, 2012, in a win against the Houston Rockets, Pau Gasol scored his 15,000th career point.
2012: Spain's flag bearer at the Summer Olympics
In 2012, Pau Gasol was Spain's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, replacing the injured Rafael Nadal.
2012: Praised by PBWA for charity work
In 2012, the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) praised Pau Gasol for his extensive charity work with children around the world.
2013: Established the Gasol Foundation
In 2013, Pau Gasol, along with his brother Marc, established the Gasol Foundation to promote community health and healthy living habits, especially by preventing and fighting childhood obesity.
July 18, 2014: Signed with the Chicago Bulls
On July 18, 2014, Pau Gasol signed with the Chicago Bulls, citing it as the best fit for him and a great challenge that he was driven by.
2014: Joins the Chicago Bulls
In 2014, Pau Gasol joined the Chicago Bulls after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
2014: Named to All-tournament team of FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2014, Pau Gasol was named to the All-tournament team of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
January 1, 2015: Recorded career-high 9 blocks
On January 1, 2015, Gasol recorded a career-high 9 blocks, along with 17 points and 9 rebounds, in the 106–101 win over the Denver Nuggets.
April 9, 2015: Recorded 51st double-double of the season
On April 9, 2015, Pau Gasol recorded a league-best 51st double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds in an 89–78 win over the Miami Heat.
April 2015: Received Magic Johnson Award
In April 2015, Pau Gasol received the Magic Johnson Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) for his charity work.
November 2015: Created a t-shirt for the Gasol Foundation
In November 2015, Pau Gasol created a t-shirt to help the Gasol Foundation's work, after being named Global Impact Player.
December 5, 2015: Reached 1,000 regular-season games
On December 5, 2015, Pau Gasol became the 116th player to reach 1,000 regular-season games, achieving 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets.
2015: Named MVP of EuroBasket
In 2015, Gasol was named the MVP of the EuroBasket competition, averaging 25.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He led the competition in points per game and was 4th in rebounds per game.
2015: MVP of the FIBA EuroBasket
In 2015, Pau Gasol was named MVP of the FIBA EuroBasket for the second time.
January 25, 2016: Recorded first career first quarter double-double
On January 25, 2016, Pau Gasol recorded his first career first quarter double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He finished the game with 19 points and 17 rebounds, as the Bulls were defeated by the Miami Heat 89–84.
April 2, 2016: Reached 10,000-point/10,000-rebound mark
On April 2, 2016, Pau Gasol became the 36th player in NBA history to reach the 10,000-point/10,000-rebound mark.
July 14, 2016: Signed with the San Antonio Spurs
On July 14, 2016, Gasol signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
November 11, 2016: Season highs with 21 points and six assists
On November 11, 2016, Pau Gasol had season highs with 21 points and six assists in a 96–86 win over the Detroit Pistons.
2016: Joins the San Antonio Spurs
In 2016, Pau Gasol joined the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Chicago Bulls.
April 12, 2017: Reached 20,000 career points
On April 12, 2017, Gasol scored 13 points to reach 20,000 career points in a 101–97 regular-season finale loss against the Utah Jazz, becoming the second European player to reach the mark after Dirk Nowitzki.
July 24, 2017: Re-signed with the Spurs
On July 24, 2017, Gasol re-signed with the Spurs.
September 7, 2017: Became EuroBasket's all-time leading scorer
On September 7, 2017, in a game against Hungary, Pau Gasol became FIBA EuroBasket's all-time leading scorer, passing Tony Parker with 1,033 points.
December 20, 2017: 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds
On December 20, 2017, Pau Gasol had 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 93–91 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
December 23, 2017: Recorded 10th career triple-double
On December 23, 2017, Pau Gasol recorded his 10th career triple-double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high 10 assists in a 108–99 win over the Sacramento Kings.
December 26, 2017: Moved past Jack Sikma for 30th in league history
On December 26, 2017, in a 109–97 win over the Brooklyn Nets, Gasol collected his 10,817th rebound, moving him past Jack Sikma for 30th in league history.
2017: Became vice president of the NBPA
In 2017, Pau Gasol became vice president of the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association, of the NBA).
January 26, 2018: Played 40,000 career minutes
On January 26, 2018, in a 97–78 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, Gasol became the 34th player in NBA history to play 40,000 career minutes.
March 25, 2018: 22 points and 13 rebounds against the Milwaukee Bucks
On March 25, 2018, Pau Gasol had 22 points on 10-of-15 shooting and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 106–103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
May 2018: Published open letter defending women as coaches
In May 2018, Pau Gasol published an open letter in The Players Tribune defending the role of women as coaches and advocating for Becky Hammon as an NBA coach.
September 2018: Joined Fundación Atresmedia Campaign
In September 2018, after publishing his book, Pau Gasol joined the campaign of Spain's Fundación Atresmedia to bring families into schools.
March 1, 2019: Released by the Spurs
On March 1, 2019, Pau Gasol was released by the San Antonio Spurs in a buyout agreement.
March 3, 2019: Signed with the Milwaukee Bucks
On March 3, 2019, Pau Gasol signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
June 2019: Joined the Advisory Council of Spanish Sport
Since June 2019, Pau Gasol has been a member of the Advisory Council of Spanish Sport (CADE), which is part of the Association of Spanish Sport (ADESP).
July 2019: Named UNICEF Global Champion
In July 2019, Pau Gasol was named Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity by UNICEF Global.
July 25, 2019: Signed with the Portland Trail Blazers
On July 25, 2019, Pau Gasol signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
September 2019: Gasol Foundation presented the Estudio Pasos
In September 2019, the Gasol Foundation presented the Estudio Pasos, a pioneering work in studying obesity levels in kids between 8 and 18 years of age, and which also threw light on the levels of physical inactivity among children and adolescents. Pau Gasol called for concrete action to end this problem.
2019: Joins the Milwaukee Bucks
In 2019, Pau Gasol played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
2020: Finished term as VP of NBPA
In 2020, Pau Gasol finished his term as vice president of the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association, of the NBA).
February 23, 2021: Returned to Spain to play for FC Barcelona
On February 23, 2021, Pau Gasol returned to Spain to play in Liga ACB club FC Barcelona.
October 5, 2021: Announced retirement from professional basketball
On October 5, 2021, Pau Gasol announced his retirement from professional basketball.
2021: Becomes a Member of the International Olympic Committee
In 2021, Pau Gasol became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
2023: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2023, Pau Gasol was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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