Back in 2001, Pau Gasol was a fresh new talent for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Now, more than two decades later, he is about to be a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Just a day before Gasol is inducted into the Hall, his first team celebrated him with a highlight reel composed of footage from his first few years in the league.
today is your day @paugasol.
big salute on being a member of the 2023 @Hoophall class ✅ pic.twitter.com/I1MQEXJHn6
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) August 11, 2023
Gasol came to the Grizzlies back in 2001 after being the third overall pick in the draft.
It was quickly apparent that he was something special.
In his first season, the big man put up 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds.
He was a bona fide superstar in no time and earned Rookie of the Year.
After that, Gasol only got better.
He would eventually become a six-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was with the Lakers where Gasol found the most success and created the legendary partnership with Kobe Bryant.
He stuck with that team until 2014 when he then moved to the Chicago Bulls.
Despite having played for 13 years at that point, Gasol was still a force on the floor.
In fact, he earned two consecutive All-Star selections during his years in Chicago.
Following that, he moved to the San Antonio Spurs and very briefly with the Milwaukee Bucks.
When his career came to an end, Gasol wasn’t playing very much due to his years of hard work and intense physical play.
When he hung up his jersey in the 2018-19 season, he had the respect of the entire league and millions of fans.
Now he is going to officially enter the history books and all of his former teams are reminding the world just how special he is.
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