Pau Gasol's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Pau Gasol. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2010: Named 15th-Smartest Athlete in Sports

In 2010, Pau Gasol was chosen as the 15th-smartest athlete in sports by Sporting News.

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.

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.

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.

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.

February 24, 2017: Returned from injury

On February 24, 2017, in a 105–97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, Gasol had 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in his return from a 15-game absence because of the finger injury.

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.

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 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.