Pau Gasol Sáez is a celebrated Spanish former professional basketball player widely recognized as one of the greatest power forwards and European players in basketball history. His illustrious career boasts numerous accolades, including six NBA All-Star selections, four All-NBA team selections, and two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Notably, he made history in 2002 by becoming the first non-American player to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. He is the older brother of former NBA player Marc Gasol.
1973: 10th Fastest Player to Reach 5,000 Points/500 Blocks
Pau Gasol became the 10th fastest player since the 1973-74 season to achieve 5,000 points and 500 blocks in his career.
July 6, 1980: Birth of Pau Gasol
On July 6, 1980, Pau Gasol was born.
1991: Magic Johnson's HIV Announcement Inspires Young Gasol
At age 11, Pau Gasol was deeply moved by Magic Johnson's announcement of his HIV-positive status in 1991, inspiring him to consider a career in medicine.
1998: Enrollment in Medical School
Pau Gasol enrolled in medical school at the University of Barcelona in 1998 but later left to pursue his basketball career.
1998: Winning the Albert Schweitzer Tournament and FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
Playing with Spain's national under-18 team, Pau Gasol won both the Albert Schweitzer Tournament and the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in 1998.
1998: Winning the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
In 1998, Pau Gasol, as a member of the Spanish junior team, achieved victory in the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.
January 17, 1999: Senior Team Debut with FC Barcelona
Pau Gasol made his debut with the senior team of FC Barcelona on January 17, 1999.
1999: Winning the FIBA Under-19 World Championship
In 1999, Pau Gasol contributed to the Spanish junior team's success as they emerged victorious in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship.
2000: FIBA EuroBasket 2000-2020 Dream Team Selection
In 2020, Pau Gasol was honored with a place on the esteemed FIBA EuroBasket 2000-2020 Dream Team.
2001: Debut with the Senior Spanish National Team
In 2001 Pau Gasol made his debut with the senior Spanish national basketball team at the 2001 EuroBasket tournament.
2001: Spanish National Cup Victory and MVP Award
Pau Gasol and FC Barcelona won the Spanish National Cup, and Gasol was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in 2001.
2002: NBA Rookie of the Year Award
Pau Gasol was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002, becoming the first non-American player to receive this award.
October 31, 2003: 3,000th Career Point
Pau Gasol scored his 3,000th career point on October 31, 2003, against the Boston Celtics.
November 12, 2003: 1,500th Rebound
Pau Gasol grabbed his 1,500th rebound on November 12, 2003, against the Orlando Magic.
2003: Winning Silver at the EuroBasket
In 2003, Pau Gasol, as a member of the Spanish national team, earned a silver medal at the EuroBasket tournament.
2003: Named UNICEF Ambassador
Pau Gasol was named a UNICEF ambassador in 2003.
April 5, 2004: First Missed Game Due to Injury
On April 5, 2004, Pau Gasol missed his first game in his professional career due to a foot injury, ending a streak of 240 consecutive games played.
2004: Highest-Scoring Player at the Summer Olympics
In 2004, Pau Gasol achieved the distinction of being the highest-scoring player in basketball at the Summer Olympics.
2004: Receives Corazón de Oro
In 2004, Pau Gasol received the Corazón de Oro (Gold Heart) from the Spanish Heart Foundation for his commitment to solidarity.
January 11, 2005: Reaching 5,000 Points and 500 Blocks
On January 11, 2005, Pau Gasol reached 5,000 career points and 500 career blocks.
February 9, 2006: First NBA All-Star Game Selection
Pau Gasol was selected to play in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first appearance in the prestigious game.
2006: Winning the FIBA World Championship
In 2006, Pau Gasol, as part of the Spanish national team, achieved a historic victory by winning the FIBA World Championship.
2006: FIBA World Cup Title and MVP
Pau Gasol led Spain to victory in the FIBA World Cup in 2006 and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
2006: Injury During FIBA World Championship
Pau Gasol suffered a broken foot during the 2006 FIBA World Championship, causing him to miss the start of the NBA season.
January 24, 2007: Second Career Triple-Double
Pau Gasol recorded his second career triple-double on January 24, 2007, against the Utah Jazz.
March 7, 2007: Becoming the Grizzlies' All-Time Leading Scorer
Pau Gasol became the Grizzlies' all-time leading scorer on March 7, 2007, surpassing Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
2007: Marc Gasol Drafted to NBA
In 2007, Pau's younger brother, Marc Gasol, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
2007: Winning Silver at the EuroBasket
In 2007, Pau Gasol and the Spanish national team once again showcased their skills on the European stage, earning a silver medal at the EuroBasket tournament.
February 1, 2008: Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers
On February 1, 2008, Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that included his brother, Marc Gasol.
2008: All-Star Selection and First NBA Championship
During the 2008-2009 season, Pau Gasol earned his second All-Star appearance. He also played a key role in the Lakers' championship victory over the Orlando Magic, earning his first NBA championship ring.
2008: Playoff Run with the Lakers
In 2008, Pau Gasol had a remarkable playoff run with the Los Angeles Lakers, reaching the Conference Finals for the first time in his career after the team swept the Denver Nuggets and defeated the Utah Jazz. Although the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in the finals, Gasol led the team in rebounding throughout the championship series.
2008: Winning Silver at the Olympic Games
In 2008, Pau Gasol, representing Spain in basketball at the Olympic Games, played a crucial role in the team's journey to the final, where they earned a silver medal.
2008: Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers
Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.
January 2, 2009: 10,000th Career Point
On January 2, 2009, Pau Gasol reached a significant milestone by scoring his 10,000th career point in a game against the Utah Jazz.
December 24, 2009: Contract Extension with the Lakers
Pau Gasol signed a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $64.7 million on December 24, 2009.
2009: FIBA EuroBasket Title and MVP
Pau Gasol led Spain to victory in the FIBA EuroBasket in 2009, earning the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.
2009: First NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers
Pau Gasol won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009.
2009: Joins "Hoops for St. Jude"
Pau Gasol joined the "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program in 2009.
2009: Winning the EuroBasket Tournament
In 2009, Pau Gasol played a pivotal role in the Spanish national team's triumph at the EuroBasket tournament, where they emerged as champions.
April 2010: Interest in Spinal Surgery
In April 2010, Pau Gasol demonstrated his strong interest in medicine by planning to observe a spinal surgery, even going as far as wearing surgical scrubs.
June 2010: Observing Spinal Surgery
In June 2010 Pau Gasol had the opportunity to observe a spinal surgery performed by Dr. David Skaggs.
December 2010: Participates in "We Are Bigger Than Aids" Campaign
In December 2010, Pau Gasol participated in the "We Are Bigger Than Aids" campaign.
2010: High Ranking in Post-Up Points
During the 2010-2011 NBA Season, Gasol ranked fifth in the league in post-up points.
2010: Recognized for Intelligence by Sporting News
In 2010, Pau Gasol was recognized for his intelligence off the court when Sporting News named him the 15th-smartest athlete in sports.
2010: Receives Charitable Athlete Prize
Pau Gasol received the Charitable Athlete Prize from the Fundación SOS in 2010.
2010: Second NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers
Pau Gasol won his second consecutive NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010.
2010: Controversy Surrounding Trade
The trade that sent Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers involved a 2010 second-round draft pick and sparked controversy and discussions about the motivations behind the deal.
2011: Continued High Ranking in Post-Up Points
Gasol continued to be ranked highly in post-up points during the 2011-2012 season, coming in ninth in the league.
2011: Winning the EuroBasket Tournament
In 2011, Pau Gasol and the Spanish national team continued their dominance in European basketball by securing another victory at the EuroBasket tournament.
2011: NBA Community Assist Award Winner
In recognition of his contributions off the court, Pau Gasol received the NBA Community Assist Award for the 2011-2012 NBA season.
March 2012: Co-Captain of the Lakers
Following Derek Fisher's trade in March 2012, Pau Gasol became the co-captain of the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant.
August 2012: Adrià Gasol Enrolls at UCLA
In August 2012, Adrià Gasol, Pau's youngest brother, enrolled at UCLA and joined their basketball team.
November 18, 2012: 15,000th Career Point
Pau Gasol achieved another milestone on November 18, 2012, when he scored his 15,000th career point during a game against the Houston Rockets.
2012: PBWA Recognizes Gasol's Charity Work
The Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) recognized Pau Gasol's charity work in 2012.
2012: Winning Silver at the Olympic Games
In 2012, Pau Gasol and the Spanish national basketball team continued their success on the Olympic stage, securing another silver medal at the Games.
2012: Flag Bearer at the Summer Olympics
In 2012, Pau Gasol was bestowed the honor of serving as Spain's flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, stepping in for the injured Rafael Nadal.
January 7, 2013: Concussion Suffered After Blow to the Face
On January 7, 2013, Pau Gasol suffered a concussion after receiving a blow to the face from Denver Nuggets player JaVale McGee, causing him to miss several games.
2013: Establishes Gasol Foundation
Pau Gasol and his brother Marc established the Gasol Foundation in 2013 to promote healthy living and combat childhood obesity.
2013: Free Agent
Pau Gasol became a free agent after the 2013 season.
July 18, 2014: Signing with the Chicago Bulls
On July 18, 2014, Pau Gasol signed with the Chicago Bulls, embracing the new challenge.
2014: Joining the Chicago Bulls
Pau Gasol joined the Chicago Bulls in 2014.
2014: Kobe Bryant's Triple-Double
In 2014, Kobe Bryant, at 36 years old, achieved a triple-double, a notable feat for a player of his age.
2014: All-Tournament Team Selection at the FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2014, Pau Gasol was recognized for his outstanding performance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup by being named to the All-Tournament Team.
2014: Leading the League in Double-Doubles
By the end of the 2014-15 season, Pau Gasol had secured the league's top spot for double-doubles.
January 1, 2015: Career-High 9 Blocks
Pau Gasol had a standout performance on January 1, 2015, recording a career-high 9 blocks, along with 17 points and 9 rebounds, in a win against the Denver Nuggets.
April 9, 2015: League-Leading 51st Double-Double
On April 9, 2015, Pau Gasol achieved his 51st double-double of the season, marking a league-best, with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a victory against the Miami Heat.
April 2015: Receives Magic Johnson Award
Pau Gasol received the Magic Johnson Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) in April 2015.
November 2015: Creates T-shirt for Gasol Foundation
Pau Gasol created a t-shirt to support the Gasol Foundation's work in November 2015.
December 5, 2015: 1,000 Regular-Season Games
On December 5, 2015, Pau Gasol achieved a significant milestone in his NBA career by becoming the 116th player to participate in 1,000 regular-season games.
2015: Second FIBA EuroBasket Title and MVP
Pau Gasol, once again, led Spain to victory in the FIBA EuroBasket in 2015 and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. This marked his second time receiving this honor.
2015: MVP at the EuroBasket
In 2015, Pau Gasol's exceptional performance at the EuroBasket tournament earned him the prestigious title of Most Valuable Player (MVP).
January 25, 2016: First Career First Quarter Double-Double
On January 25, 2016, Pau Gasol achieved his first career first quarter double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds during a game against the Miami Heat.
April 2, 2016: 10,000-Point/10,000-Rebound Mark
On April 2, 2016, Pau Gasol reached a statistical milestone by becoming the 36th player in NBA history to record both 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds.
July 14, 2016: Signing with the San Antonio Spurs
On July 14, 2016, Pau Gasol signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
November 11, 2016: Season Highs
On November 11, 2016, during a game against the Detroit Pistons, Pau Gasol achieved season highs with 21 points and six assists.
2016: Signing with the San Antonio Spurs
Pau Gasol signed with the San Antonio Spurs in 2016.
January 19, 2017: Left Ring Finger Injury
On January 19, 2017 Pau Gasol was sidelined indefinitely due to a left ring finger fracture sustained during pregame warmups.
February 24, 2017: Return from Injury
On February 24, 2017, Pau Gasol marked his return after a 15-game absence due to a finger injury. He came off the bench, contributing 17 points and 11 rebounds to secure a 105-97 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.
March 2017: Gasol Foundation Headquarters Moved to Sant Boi
The Gasol Foundation's headquarters was moved from Barcelona to Sant Boi, Pau's birthplace, in March 2017.
April 12, 2017: 20,000 Career Points
On April 12, 2017, in a game against the Utah Jazz, Pau Gasol reached the milestone of 20,000 career points, becoming the second European player to achieve this feat after Dirk Nowitzki.
July 24, 2017: Re-Signing with the Spurs
On July 24, 2017, Pau Gasol re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
September 7, 2017: FIBA EuroBasket's All-Time Leading Scorer
On September 7, 2017, in a game against Hungary, Pau Gasol reached a historic milestone by surpassing Tony Parker's record to become the all-time leading scorer in FIBA EuroBasket history.
December 20, 2017: Season-High Rebounds
On December 20, 2017, in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Pau Gasol scored 20 points and achieved a season-high of 17 rebounds.
December 23, 2017: 10th Career Triple-Double
On December 23, 2017, in a game against the Sacramento Kings, Pau Gasol recorded his 10th career triple-double, showcasing his versatility on the court. He contributed 14 points, 11 rebounds, and a season-high 10 assists.
December 26, 2017: Surpassing Jack Sikma in Rebounds
On December 26, 2017, in a game against the Brooklyn Nets, Pau Gasol reached a significant milestone by collecting his 10,817th rebound, surpassing Jack Sikma to secure the 30th position on the NBA's all-time rebounding list.
2017: Becomes NBPA Vice President
Pau Gasol became vice president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) in 2017.
January 26, 2018: 40,000 Career Minutes
On January 26, 2018, during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Pau Gasol achieved a significant milestone by becoming the 34th player in NBA history to play for a combined total of 40,000 minutes throughout their career.
March 25, 2018: Efficient Performance Against the Bucks
On March 25, 2018, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Pau Gasol displayed an efficient shooting performance, scoring 22 points by making 10 out of his 15 shot attempts. Additionally, he grabbed 13 rebounds during the game.
May 2018: Defends Women in Coaching
Pau Gasol published an open letter supporting women in coaching, particularly Becky Hammon's candidacy as an NBA coach, in May 2018.
September 2018: Publishes "Bajo el aro" and Supports Education
In September 2018, Pau Gasol published his book "Bajo el aro" (Under the Hoop) and joined a campaign to bring families into schools.
2018: Stress Fracture in Right Foot
In the 2018-2019 season Pau Gasol missed 26 games due to a stress fracture in his right foot.
March 1, 2019: Release from the Spurs
On March 1, 2019, Pau Gasol and the San Antonio Spurs reached a buyout agreement, leading to his release from the team.
March 3, 2019: Signing with the Milwaukee Bucks
On March 3, 2019, Pau Gasol signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
May 9, 2019: Foot Surgery
On May 9, 2019, Pau Gasol had surgery on his injured foot.
June 2019: Joins Advisory Council of Spanish Sport
Pau Gasol became a member of the Advisory Council of Spanish Sport (CADE) in June 2019.
July 2019: Marriage to Catherine McDonnell
Pau Gasol married Catherine McDonnell in July 2019.
July 2019: Named Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity
Pau Gasol was named Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity by UNICEF Global in July 2019.
July 25, 2019: Signing with the Portland Trail Blazers
On July 25, 2019, Pau Gasol signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
September 2019: Gasol Foundation Presents "Estudio Pasos"
In September 2019, the Gasol Foundation presented the "Estudio Pasos", a study on obesity and physical inactivity in children.
2019: Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks
Pau Gasol played for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019.
September 13, 2020: Daughter Elisabet Gianna Gasol Born
On September 13, 2020, Pau Gasol and Catherine McDonnell welcomed their first child, a daughter named Elisabet Gianna Gasol.
2020: FIBA EuroBasket 2000-2020 Dream Team Selection
In 2020, Pau Gasol was honored with a place on the esteemed FIBA EuroBasket 2000-2020 Dream Team.
2020: Winning the ACB Championship and Reaching the EuroLeague Final
In the year 2020, Pau Gasol achieved significant success with FC Barcelona. The team secured victory in the ACB championship and made an impressive run to the final of the EuroLeague, where they ultimately faced defeat against Anadolu Efes.
2020: Ends Term as NBPA Vice President
Pau Gasol's term as vice president of the NBPA ended in 2020.
February 23, 2021: Return to Spain and Joining FC Barcelona
On February 23, 2021, Pau Gasol returned to his home country, Spain, and joined FC Barcelona's basketball club, which competes in the Liga ACB.
October 5, 2021: Retirement from Professional Basketball
On October 5, 2021, Pau Gasol publicly declared his retirement from professional basketball.
2021: International Olympic Committee Membership
In 2021, Pau Gasol became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
December 2022: Son Max Born
Pau Gasol and Catherine McDonnell welcomed their second child, a son named Max, in December 2022.
2023: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
It was announced in 2023 that Pau Gasol would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.