10 things you should know about Pau Gasol
If we think of an internationally recognized reference for Spanish sport, that could be Pau Gasol. Basketball player has known how to leave everyone with their mouths open. His friendships, triumphs and charitable works make this athlete one of the most complete players that I have ever been able to boast of. SpainKeep reading if you want to find out the 10 things you should know about Pau Gasol. We are sure that more than one thing will surprise you!
1. He had a very close friendship with Kobe Bryant
Both players met in 2008 sharing the court in The Lakers after the Spanish left the Memphis Grizzlies after six and a half years playing on the team. In addition to being its captain, Kobe became an example to look up to and Pau a support for the veteran, to such an extent that a friendship was forged not only based on the sport that united them, but also on the cultural tastes they had and even on the Spanish in which they both communicated.
2. Did you know that Pau Gasol actually wanted to study medicine?
Before becoming the basketball superstar he is today, Pau Gasol wanted to pursue a career in medicine. His father was a nurse and his mother an internist, Pau Gasol's path was marked by health sciences. However, when he realized that it was impossible to combine both things, he opted for basketball.
3. Pau Gasol also has… a side as an actor!
Although he certainly hasn't stood out as much on the playing field, Pau Gasol has made a few cameos in two television series. The most well-known one was the one he made in the international series 'CSI: Miami' in which she had a very unflattering character. In addition, she also participated in the American-produced soap opera 'Eva Luna' in which he played himself, as the protagonist's favorite basketball player.
4. There is a song dedicated to the athlete
As we already know, Gasol and his career in basketball have aroused admiration wherever he goes and because of this, he can boast of having a song in his honor. In 2011, rapper Nach wrote the song 'Tribute to Pau Gasol' to pay tribute to the player and his entire professional career.
5. More than a thousand games in the NBA
The year 2015 marked a very important stage in the player's life, as Pau Gasol played his thousandth NBA game. He also became the top scorer of Hispanic origin in the history of the American league, surpassing the 17,623 points achieved by Rolando Blackman.
6. He has a brother who also followed in his footsteps
Although there are three Gasol brothers, only two of them have been able to debut in the NBA. After Pau Gasol made the jump to the NBA in 2001 and signed for the 'Memphis Grizzlies', he had to wait until 2008 to see his brother Marc Gasol in the same position, and that year, the eldest of the brothers would sign for the 'Los Angeles Lakers', leaving the way for his younger brother to become part of the 'Grizzlies' squad, a stage that would last until 2018 when he was transferred to the 'Toronto Raptors'.
The third and least known of the Gasol brothers is Adrià Gasol who, after trying (unsuccessfully) to join the 'Bruins' basketball team, returned to Spain to compete in the Catalan First Division of basketball.
7.Did you know that Pau and Marc Gasol starred in one of the most iconic moments in basketball?
Also in 2015, basketball experienced one of those moments that will remain in our memories. In the competition 'All Star Game'That year, both brothers were starters on their teams, so at the start of the match they had to jump and face each other to get hold of the ball.
8. He was chosen Rookie of the Year
In the 2001 season, playing as a power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, Pau Gasol made history by becoming the first European player to be chosen as NBA Rookie of the Year, an award given to the most outstanding player in his first season in this basketball league.
9. What was Pau Gasol's curious tribute? to Kobe Bryant?
After the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, Pau decides to name his firstborn Elizabeth Gianna. 'Gianna' was the name of Kobe's daughter, who also died in a fatal accident in Calabasas, California. As Pau said, it was the best way to honor the memory of both Kobe and Gianna, who at her young age was a legitimate heir to her father's talent.
10. He cares about social causes
Fighting AIDS is one of the reasons why the basketball legend wanted to dedicate himself to medicine at one point. However, despite not continuing his career, Pau Gasol has continued to support the fight against this disease from another perspective. Whether as an ambassador for the Spanish Committee of Unicef for the fight against AIDS or as a donor of financial aid, the basketball star has always dedicated efforts to help alleviate this terrible disease.
Pau Gasol will always be a legend, not only in Spain, but internationally. The empathy and humanity he has shown for different social causes makes people able to separate the person from the athlete and many see in him an example not only to follow, but also to overcome. Without a doubt, both he and Marc Gasol will always be remembered as the brothers who triumphed in America.
