Pau Gasol
The first Grizzlies player to win Defensive Player of the Year and a cornerstone of Grit and Grind.
Marc Gasol Sáez is a Spanish former professional basketball player who currently serves as the president of Bàsquet Girona. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007, his draft rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on February 1, 2008, before he signed with them in July. Over his tenure in Memphis, Gasol became a cornerstone of the franchise, earning three NBA All-Star selections and two All-NBA Team honors. His defensive prowess peaked in 2013 when he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. He eventually left to win an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 before finishing his career with a brief stint back in Los Angeles.
- Role
- Center
- Draft Position
- 48th overall (2007)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year
- 2013
- NBA All-Star Selections
- 3 (2012, 2015, 2017)
- All-NBA Team Selections
- 2 (Second Team 2012–13, Second Team 2014–15)
- Grizzlies Career Rebound Leader
- No (Zach Randolph holds the record)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Marc Gasol's arrival in Memphis was born from a historic trade on February 1, 2008, which sent his older brother Pau to the Lakers. Initially selected 48th overall, Marc signed with the Grizzlies later that summer and immediately made an impact. As a rookie, he set a franchise record for field goal percentage at 53 percent, surpassing Stromile Swift's previous mark of 52.2 percent from the 2001–02 season. His early years established him as a defensive anchor who led the team in blocked shots for his first three seasons. The Grizzlies, who had won playoff games in 2004 and 2005 but never a series, transformed under his leadership, defeating the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the 2011 opening round and pushing the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games.
In Their Own Story
The defining moment of Gasol's defensive legacy arrived in April 2013. Anchoring a Memphis unit that allowed a league-low 88.7 points per game, he became the first player in Grizzlies history to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. This honor also made him the first Spanish man and first European to receive it. His impact was quantifiable; with Gasol on the court, the team enjoyed a +7.5 score differential compared to -3.9 when he sat. Beyond defense, his offensive ceiling rose in 2014–15 when he earned All-NBA First Team honors and averaged a career-best 17.4 points. He recorded multiple triple-doubles during this era, including his first with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Houston Rockets on November 20, 2015.
Reader's Guide
Gasol's statistical evolution in Memphis highlights his growth from a reliable rookie to an elite all-around center. By the 2013–14 season, he was one of only six players to average at least 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals simultaneously. Injuries limited him to 59 games that year due to a left MCL sprain, but he returned to post career highs in field goals made and free throws during the 2014–15 campaign. He became the only player in the league with at least 1,300 points, 600 rebounds, and 300 assists that season. His scoring peaked on January 25, 2017, when he dropped a career-high 42 points against the Toronto Raptors. On December 2, 2017, he surpassed 10,000 career points, and by February 2018, he had made his 689th start to become the franchise's all-time leader in games started.
Did You Know?
- Gasol is nicknamed 'The Big Spain' or 'Marc'.
- He is the first player in Grizzlies history to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
- In 2014–15, he was one of only two players in the league with at least 1,300 points, 600 rebounds, and 300 assists in a single season, alongside Russell Westbrook.
- He recorded his first career triple-double on November 20, 2015, against the Houston Rockets.
- Gasol holds the franchise record for most games started with 689, surpassing Mike Conley Jr.
The Gasol Brothers Trade and Memphis Identity
Marc Gasol was drafted 48th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA draft. On February 1, 2008, his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a deal that sent his older brother, Pau Gasol, to the Lakers. He signed with the Grizzlies on July 9, 2008. As a rookie, he set a franchise record for field goal percentage at 53 percent, surpassing the previous mark held by Pau. He led the Grizzlies in blocked shots in each of his first three NBA seasons.
Defensive Dominance and Individual Accolades
In April 2013, Gasol was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Grizzlies history to win the award, as well as the first Spanish man and first European. He anchored a defense that allowed a league-low 88.7 points per game during the regular season. He earned three NBA All-Star selections (2012, 2015, 2017) and was named to the All-NBA Team twice, including the First Team in 2014–15 when he averaged a career-best 17.4 points.
International Glory with Spain
Gasol has been a regular member of the Spain national team since 2006. He won two FIBA Basketball World Cup titles and two EuroBasket championships, along with one silver medal and two bronze medals in EuroBasket. On the Olympic stage, he secured two silver medals.
Career Evolution and Championship Success
Gasol remained with the Grizzlies until being traded to the Toronto Raptors on February 7, 2019. He helped lead the Raptors to the 2019 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games to win the championship. After opting into his player option for the 2019–20 season, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on November 24, 2020, playing one season before being traded back to Memphis and waived in September 2021. He announced in November 2021 that he would play for Bàsquet Girona until the end of the 2021–22 season.
The Gasol Brothers Trade
Marc Gasol was drafted 48th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA draft. On February 1, 2008, his rights were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a package that sent his older brother Pau Gasol to the Lakers. He signed with the Grizzlies on July 9, 2008. In his rookie season, he set a franchise record for field goal percentage at 53 percent, breaking the previous mark held by Pau (51.8% in 2001–02). Gasol was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds.
Defensive Dominance
In April 2013, Gasol won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first player in Grizzlies history to do so. He was also the first Spanish man and first European to win the honor. The defense he anchored allowed a league-low 88.7 points per game that season. His +5.4 score differential ranked second among all NBA centers. Despite winning Defensive Player of the Year, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team due to a different voting system.
International Career
Gasol has been a regular member of the Spain national team since 2006. He has won two Olympic silver medals and two FIBA Basketball World Cup titles. In EuroBasket competition, he has secured two gold titles, one silver medal, and two bronze medals.
Championship and Departure
On February 7, 2019, Gasol was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for C.J. Miles, Jonas Valančiūnas, Delon Wright, and a 2024 second-round draft pick. He helped the Raptors reach the 2019 NBA Finals, where they defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games. In his first NBA Finals game, he scored 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. This victory made him and Pau the first set of brothers to win NBA titles, joining Pau's championships from 2009 and 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pau Gasol?
He is a Spanish power forward recognized as the most decorated player in Memphis Grizzlies franchise history. His tenure from 2008 to 2014 marked a significant turning point that elevated the team into playoff contention.
What was Pau Gasol's role on the court?
Operating primarily as a Power Forward or Center, he provided two-way excellence and defensive grit essential to the Grizz City identity. His presence transformed the squad from a struggling expansion-era side into a competitive force.
Did Pau Gasol win championships with Memphis?
No, while he is revered in Memphis, his three NBA Championships were won with other teams during his career. However, he remains an All-Star selection and a defining figure of the franchise's golden era.
Why is Pau Gasol considered important to Grizzlies fans?
He brought championship pedigree and soul to the organization when it needed stability most. Fans view him as the giant who established the culture of toughness associated with the team during his six seasons there.
What jersey number did Pau Gasol wear in Memphis?
He wore number 16 throughout his time with the Grizzlies, a number now synonymous with his legacy. Even after retiring from the NBA, he is still celebrated as a franchise legend by supporters worldwide.
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