History of Pau Gasol in Timeline
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. He also earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2002 while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first non-American to receive the honor. He is the older brother of former NBA player Marc Gasol.
July 6, 1980: Pau Gasol's Birth
On July 6, 1980, Pau Gasol was born. He is a Spanish former professional basketball player known as one of the greatest power forwards and European players of all time.
1991: Inspired by Magic Johnson
In 1991, after hearing the news of Magic Johnson's HIV-positive status, the 11-year-old Pau Gasol aspired to become a doctor and find a cure for AIDS.
1998: Enrolls in Medical School
In 1998, Pau Gasol enrolled in medical school at the University of Barcelona, but left after one year to pursue his advancing basketball career.
1998: Wins Championships with Spain's Under-18 Team
In 1998, Pau Gasol, playing with Spain's national under-18 team, won both the Albert Schweitzer Tournament and the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.
January 17, 1999: Debut with FC Barcelona
On January 17, 1999, Pau Gasol made his debut with the senior team of FC Barcelona in the Spanish ACB League.
2001: NBA Draft and Trade
In 2001, Pau Gasol was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks as the third overall pick but was immediately traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies.
2002: NBA Rookie of the Year
In 2002, Pau Gasol won the NBA Rookie of the Year award with the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the first non-American player to receive this 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 the 1,500th rebound of his career against the Orlando Magic.
2003: Named UNICEF Ambassador
In 2003, Pau Gasol was named a UNICEF ambassador, participating in various campaigns and traveling to Africa.
April 5, 2004: First Missed Game Due to Injury
On April 5, 2004, Pau Gasol missed the first game of his career due to a foot injury, ending his streak of 240 consecutive games played.
2004: Receives Corazón de Oro
In 2004, Pau Gasol received the Corazón de Oro (Gold Heart) award from the Spanish Heart Foundation for his commitment to solidarity.
January 11, 2005: 5,000 Points and 500 Blocks
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. He was the 10th fastest player to reach this milestone since 1973-74.
February 9, 2006: NBA All-Star Selection
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 becoming the first Spanish player and Grizzlies player to achieve this.
2006: FIBA World Cup MVP
In 2006, Pau Gasol was named the MVP of the FIBA World Cup, where he also won a title with the Spanish national team.
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 with 7,809 points at the time.
February 1, 2008: Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
On February 1, 2008, Pau Gasol was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Los Angeles Lakers.
2008: All-Star Appearance
During the 2008-09 NBA season, Pau Gasol earned his second All-Star appearance as a reserve for the Western Conference squad, his first as a Laker.
2008: Reaches NBA Finals
In 2008, Pau Gasol helped the Lakers sweep the Denver Nuggets, contributed 17 points against the Utah Jazz and recorded 19 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs, becoming the first Spaniard to reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.
2008: Joins Los Angeles Lakers
In 2008, Pau Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after playing for the Memphis Grizzlies for more than six seasons.
January 2, 2009: 10,000th Career Point
On January 2, 2009, Pau Gasol scored his 10,000th career point in a win against the Utah Jazz.
December 24, 2009: Signs Extension with Lakers
On December 24, 2009, Pau Gasol signed a 3-year extension with the Lakers worth $64.7 million.
2009: Joins "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program
In 2009, Pau Gasol joined the "Hoops for St. Jude" charity program, which benefits the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
2009: EuroBasket MVP
In 2009, Pau Gasol was named MVP of the FIBA EuroBasket, adding to his international accolades.
2009: First NBA Championship
In 2009, Pau Gasol won his first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
December 2010: Takes part in We Are Bigger Than Aids campaign
In December 2010, Pau Gasol, along with other NBA stars, participated in the We Are Bigger Than Aids campaign against the HIV virus.
2010: Trade Rumors
During the 2011-12 NBA season, Pau Gasol was subjected to trade rumors involving Chris Paul.
2010: Awarded Charitable Athlete Prize
In 2010, Pau Gasol received the Charitable Athlete Prize from the Fundación SOS, recognizing his commitment to charitable work.
2010: NBA Champion and Smartest Athlete
In 2010, Pau Gasol was named the 15th-smartest athlete in sports by Sporting News and won his second NBA championship.
2010: Second NBA Championship
In 2010, Pau Gasol won his second consecutive NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
2011: Trade Rumors
During the 2011-12 NBA season, Pau Gasol was subjected to trade rumors involving Chris Paul.
March 2012: Named Co-Captain
In March 2012, after Derek Fisher was traded, Pau Gasol joined Kobe Bryant as co-captain of the Lakers.
November 18, 2012: Gasol Scores 15,000th Career Point
On November 18, 2012, Pau Gasol scored his 15,000th career point in a win against the Houston Rockets.
2012: PBWA recognizes Gasol's charity work
In 2012, The Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) recognized Pau Gasol for embodying the best qualities of NBA players in their charity work, both locally and globally, aiding children in achieving their goals and accessing opportunities.
January 7, 2013: Gasol Suffers Concussion
On January 7, 2013, Pau Gasol suffered a concussion after receiving a blow to the face from JaVale McGee during a game against the Denver Nuggets, leading him to miss the subsequent five games.
2013: Establishes the Gasol Foundation with his brother Marc
In 2013, Pau Gasol, along with his brother Marc, founded the Gasol Foundation to promote community health and healthy living habits, focusing on preventing and combating childhood obesity.
July 18, 2014: Gasol Signs with 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 he was driven to pursue.
2014: Joins Chicago Bulls
In 2014, Pau Gasol joined the Chicago Bulls after his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.
January 1, 2015: Gasol Records Career-High 9 Blocks
On January 1, 2015, Pau Gasol recorded a career-high 9 blocks, along with 17 points and 9 rebounds, in the Bulls' 106–101 win over the Denver Nuggets.
April 9, 2015: Gasol Records 51st Double-Double
On April 9, 2015, Pau Gasol recorded his league-leading 51st double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a win over the Miami Heat.
April 2015: Receives Magic Johnson Award
In April 2015, Pau Gasol received the Magic Johnson Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) for exemplifying the positive aspects of NBA players and their charitable endeavors.
November 2015: Creates t-shirt to help the Gasol Foundation's work
In November 2015, after being named Global Impact Player by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Pau Gasol created a t-shirt to support the Gasol Foundation's efforts.
December 5, 2015: Gasol Reaches 1,000 Regular-Season Games
On December 5, 2015, Pau Gasol played in his 1,000th regular-season game, achieving 13 points and 11 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season against the Charlotte Hornets.
2015: Second EuroBasket MVP
In 2015, Pau Gasol was again named MVP of the FIBA EuroBasket, sharing the record for most EuroBasket MVP awards.
January 25, 2016: Gasol Records First Career First Quarter Double-Double
On January 25, 2016, Pau Gasol achieved his first career first quarter double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, ultimately finishing with 19 points and 17 rebounds in a game against the Miami Heat.
July 14, 2016: Gasol Signs with San Antonio Spurs
On July 14, 2016, Pau Gasol signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
November 11, 2016: Gasol Achieves Season Highs
On November 11, 2016, Pau Gasol posted season highs with 21 points and 6 assists in a 96-86 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
2016: Joins San Antonio Spurs
In 2016, Pau Gasol joined the San Antonio Spurs after playing for the Chicago Bulls.
January 19, 2017: Gasol Ruled Out Indefinitely with Finger Injury
On January 19, 2017, Pau Gasol was ruled out indefinitely after breaking his left ring finger during pregame warmups.
February 24, 2017: Gasol Returns from Injury
On February 24, 2017, Pau Gasol returned from a 15-game absence due to a finger injury, contributing 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in a 105–97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
March 2017: Gasol Foundation moves headquarters to Sant Boi
In March 2017, Pau and Marc Gasol decided to relocate the Gasol Foundation's headquarters from Barcelona to Sant Boi, where Pau was born.
April 12, 2017: Gasol Reaches 20,000 Career Points
On April 12, 2017, Pau Gasol scored 13 points, reaching 20,000 career points in a 101–97 loss against the Utah Jazz, becoming the second European player to reach this milestone.
July 24, 2017: Gasol Re-Signs with Spurs
On July 24, 2017, Pau Gasol re-signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
December 20, 2017: Gasol Records Season-High Rebounds
On December 20, 2017, Pau Gasol recorded 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in a 93–91 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
December 23, 2017: Gasol Records 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: Gasol Moves Past Jack Sikma in Rebounds
On December 26, 2017, Pau Gasol collected his 10,817th rebound in a 109–97 win over the Brooklyn Nets, surpassing Jack Sikma for 30th in league history.
2017: Elected vice president of NBPA
In 2017, Pau Gasol was elected vice president of the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association, of the NBA).
January 26, 2018: Gasol Plays 40,000 Career Minutes
On January 26, 2018, Pau Gasol became the 34th player in NBA history to play 40,000 career minutes, during a 97–78 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
March 25, 2018: Gasol Scores 22 Points and Grabs 13 Rebounds
On March 25, 2018, Pau Gasol scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 106–103 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
May 2018: Publishes open letter defending women as coaches
In May 2018, Pau Gasol published an open letter in The Players Tribune advocating for the role of women as coaches, specifically supporting Becky Hammon's candidacy as an NBA coach, and advocating for new social norms to embrace equality and diversity.
September 2018: Joins Fundación Atresmedia campaign
In September 2018, following the release of his book Bajo el aro (Under the Hoop), Pau Gasol joined Spain's Fundación Atresmedia campaign to involve families in schools.
March 1, 2019: Gasol Released by Spurs
On March 1, 2019, Pau Gasol was released by the San Antonio Spurs in a buyout agreement.
March 3, 2019: Gasol Signs with Milwaukee Bucks
On March 3, 2019, Pau Gasol signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
May 9, 2019: Gasol Undergoes Foot Surgery
On May 9, 2019, Pau Gasol underwent surgery on his injured left foot, which ended his season.
June 2019: Becomes member of Advisory Council of Spanish Sport (CADE)
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: Gasol Marries Catherine McDonnell
In July 2019, Pau Gasol married Catherine McDonnell.
July 2019: Named Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity by UNICEF Global
In July 2019, Pau Gasol was named Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity by UNICEF Global.
July 25, 2019: Gasol Signs with 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 pioneering study examining obesity levels in children aged 8 to 18 and highlighting the levels of physical inactivity among children and adolescents.
2019: Joins Milwaukee Bucks
In 2019, Pau Gasol joined the Milwaukee Bucks, marking another transition in his NBA career.
September 13, 2020: Birth of Elisabet Gianna Gasol
On September 13, 2020, Pau Gasol and his wife Catherine McDonnell welcomed their daughter, Elisabet Gianna Gasol. Her middle name is a tribute to Kobe Bryant's late daughter.
2020: Continues as vice president of NBPA
In 2020, Pau Gasol continued his role as vice president of the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association, of the NBA), a position he held since 2017.
February 23, 2021: Gasol Returns to FC Barcelona
On February 23, 2021, Pau Gasol returned to Spain to play for Liga ACB club FC Barcelona.
October 5, 2021: Gasol Announces Retirement
On October 5, 2021, Pau Gasol officially announced his retirement from professional basketball.
2021: Becomes IOC Member
In 2021, Pau Gasol became a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), transitioning into a role in sports administration.
2023: Induction into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2023, it was announced that Pau Gasol would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
