Pau Gasol is a retired Spanish professional basketball player who had an illustrious career in the NBA. He was a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and made six NBA All-Star teams during his 18-year career.
Early Life and Career
Pau Gasol was born on July 6, 1980, in Barcelona, Spain. He grew up in a family of basketball players. His father, Agusti, played professionally, and his younger brother, Marc, also went on to become an NBA player. Pau Gasol started playing basketball at a young age and quickly showed promise. He joined the Barcelona junior team when he was just 16 years old and made his professional debut with the senior team two years later.
Gasol's success in Spain caught the attention of NBA scouts, and he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the third overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft. However, he was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he spent the first six and a half seasons of his NBA career.
NBA Career
Gasol quickly made an impact in the NBA, winning the Rookie of the Year award in his first season with the Grizzlies. He became one of the best players in the league and was named to the NBA All-Star team for the first time in 2006. Gasol helped lead the Grizzlies to the playoffs in his final two seasons with the team but was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.
With the Lakers, Gasol formed a dominant frontcourt tandem with Kobe Bryant. He helped lead the team to back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. Gasol was also named to the All-NBA team three times during his tenure with the Lakers.
After his time with the Lakers, Gasol had stints with the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Milwaukee Bucks. He retired from the NBA in 2019 and returned to Spain to play for FC Barcelona.
Position and Height
Pau Gasol played center and power forward positions during his NBA career. He stood at a towering 7 feet tall and weighed 250 pounds, making him one of the most dominant big men in the league during his prime.
Wife and Family
Pau Gasol is married to Catherine McDonnell, a former cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers. The couple got engaged in 2018 and tied the knot in July 2019. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Elisabet Gianna Gasol, in September 2020.
Net Worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Pau Gasol's net worth is estimated to be $70 million. This comes from his successful NBA career, numerous endorsements, and investments in various businesses.
Source: Mckpage.com
